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REPUBLICANS IN POLAND

2008-02-22T14:54:00.003+01:00

Tens of thousands of American citizens live in Poland. If trends hold true, about 40% of them are Republicans. We Republicans are watching what will be a likely seminal election in our history. Assuming that the trend continues, we will be facing a stark choice in the November election:

- the most liberal United States Senator with a record of doing virtually nothing but voting to the Left vs. the Maverick Republican who espouses conservative values on defense, spending, and social issues, but occasionally has ventured across the aisle to lead other issues on a bipartisan basis;

- Amorphous rhetoric about "change" and "hope" that masks the most Liberal agenda and proposed expansion of taxes and federal spending since FDR;

- A Senator in the pocket of the special interests in his party (Obama) vs. a Senator who has made headlines by defying special interests from every direction;

- A candidate who was in the Illinois State Legislature four years ago and has led an undistinguished and very brief term in the U.S. Senate vs. one of the leading independent voices in the Senate;

- A candidate for Commander-in-Chief who would cut and run vs. one who will finish the job and keep terrorists on the run throughout the world;

- A candidate with no experience or vision who will be tested by our enemies vs. one who sends fear into their souls;

- A candidate who supports the erosion of our national identity in every sense of the word vs. an American hero;

- A candidate whose wife was never proud of America until her husband won some primaries vs. a candidate who was tortured by our enemies because he stood for America;

The list goes on and on. The election is too important to sit out. And it is easy to get an absentee ballot from the last place where you resided and voted in the U.S. For help in casting your vote, contact randymott AT ekotechnology.com.

If you would like to help out with Republicans in Poland, contact me as well. We are planning some functions and get-togethers surrounding the convention and the election.

Randy Mott

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Polbloglet: Fat Thursday!

2007-02-23T21:59:00.000+01:00

"Polish Doughnuts" by Polska＊ポーランド＊Poland

For at least one moment in the dark days of winter, life is sweet in Poland. Marking the last Thursday before Lent, Tłusty czwartek (or, Fat Thursday) is a day of over-indulgence in sweets.

This past Thursday, in scenes disturbingly reminiscent of Communist days, the local sweet shops and bakeries were full of people, lining up to get their hands on the source of sweetness and symbol of this special day - the traditional Polish doughnut, or pączki. Unfortunately, by lunch break, our local bakery was sold out already!

Typical sight in Poland on Fat Thursday, Wikipedia

Interestingly, each country has its own way of marking the last day before Lent: in Greece, instead of sweets, they eat loads of meat on Tsiknopempti. In Latin and South America, they celebrate in a more dynamic way with the Carnival.

How does your country mark the start of Lent? Do you sit in a sweet shop and gorge yourself on baker's delights or do you take to the streets?

*This was cross-posted to Global Voices.

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Polish Bards Unpoetic To Google

2007-02-18T13:42:00.000+01:00

A group of Polish poets is standing firm against Google in a domain name dispute.

Google has launched legal action against a group of Polish poets, demanding that they give up their Internet domain name gmail.pl, a member of the cultural collective said.

Izabela Krawczyk of GMAiL -- the "Grupa Mlodych Artystow i Literatow," or Group of Young Artists and Writers -- told AFP that Google had turned to the country's IT and telecommunications tribunal to try to stop them using the Web site address www.gmail.pl.

There is quite an extended debate on Gazeta's forum site [PL] - with some subject headings like "Go to hell Google."

Are these poets in over their metaphorical heads?

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Between a Hard Rock and Stalin's Place

2007-02-14T01:12:00.000+01:00

The latest Polish mega mall, Zlote Tarasy, located in Warsaw and situated across from the Cold War Commie icon Palace of Culture and Science, has the first Hard Rock Cafe in Central Europe and the mall itself is said to have one of the largest glass ceilings in the world.

Reports Warsaw Voice:

The walls of the cafe display an original piece of work drafted by Jim Morrison when he was at high school, a shirt Elvis Presley wore in Jailhouse Rock, a postcard written by Janis Joplin to her friend, and a jacket that belonged to Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols. For the younger generation, there are the trousers in which Shakira performed her latest world tour. The Grammy statuette presented to The Eagles for the song "Lyin' Eyes" in 1975 is also on display.

And, they're hiring!

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What's Shaking in Poland's Blogosphere

2007-02-13T23:54:00.000+01:00

Photo by Embe at warsawdaily

A week of intermittent snowfall broke a dry spell, drawing kids outdoors for some winter games. It will be a short-lived affair as the winter has been a let-down for some with warmer temperatures and, as Our Man in Gdansk suggests, indoor games are sure to be in fashion soon. One such game is a perennial favorite but with a twist from Poland, get your chips out for "Health Care Bingo."

Here I present a cut-out-and-paste version of office bingo to help you while away the hours of talking heads talking about why the Polish health service is in a jock. You have to choose just three of the following commonly proferred explanations of why the Polish health service is in a jock.

What happens when local authorities get to plan, but not pay for a highway to connect Helsinki and Warsaw? BINGO! An offer they can't refuse plus irreversible damage to numerous forests. But when the chips are down, bloggers become clicktivists. Varpho has set up a petition and encourages all to take action now:

By signing the list below you are protesting against routing Via Baltica through unique nature areas, such as the Augustów Forest along with the Rospuda River Valley, the Biebrza National Park and the Knyszyn Forest, and thus you are expressing your disapproval for the Białystok option of this road.

One refused offer however was greeted by collective sighs of relief by bloggers as a former Polish PM declined a top post at one of Poland's largest banks. Interestingly, the decision was announced on the former politican's personal blog (in Polish). According to Polish Matters, the news couldn't come soon enough as the whole idea seemed, literally, wrong-headed:

It's enough to say that Marcinkiewicz, a high school Physics teacher before his 9-month stint as Polish prime minister last year, had no experience in either banking or management.

Hold on though, experience doesn't always lead to wise decisions, according to the beatroot. Not only appearing wrong-headed, but donning a bad hair day icon, a Polish mayor decided to proclaim an alcohol curfew in one of Poland's hottest tourist spots.

You expect this kind of thing from the British, but a Pole banning drinking? Is the mayor of Sopot limbering up for a career in Brussels, perhaps?

Warsaw not to worry, boo provides some blogging about sans-curfew and trendy night spots, complete with a token communist pub, endearingly called The Red Pig. I wonder, do they serve Red Bull?

Staying with the educational angle, although a little textual bull, or embellishment, might implicate itself here, The Real Warsaw provides a post and response on life in Poland, by a USA student and an ex-pat resident of Poland. Watch this thread as opinions are exaggerated on both sides. Highlight for me: Buy real estate in Poland right now!

That’s the Poland blogopshere update! Until next time - Do widzenia i powodzenia!

This post was originally written for the Global Voices site.

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Welcome to "Afterthoughts: Because thought should come before you blog!"

1) Our Man in Gdansk has missed the boat in the post we note above. Poles aren't so cheap as to be selfish about who should get care or not. In my discussion with Poles, they are very concerned about the prospect of many people losing out on adequate health care. Where did you get your info?

2) The Real Warsaw needs to get real! The comments about Poland are simply too rosy and do nothing to help the interested student to realistically understand everyday life in Poland. Will this student really be prepared to live in Poland after reading your Disney-esque piece on Poland?

3) Hey beatroot! Do you really give a shake about the actual sanity and safety of the community you implicitly mock in your post about Sopot's mayor?

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PolBlog's Talk Back Attack: Poles - Should they stay or should they grow?

2006-07-16T00:05:00.000+02:00

Not a stranger to firsts when it comes to blogging in Poland, PolBlog is unsure as to the reception of its latest foray. Audio-commenting, as we call it, adds another dimension to blogging -- think of it as audio SMS. It puts a voice to the text.

To listen to the first Talk Back Attack scroll down looking in the right column for a text box called "Talk Back." Simply click (once) on the username and listen. A Java applet will need to run if you want to talk back (record a message), we hope it's not a problem (sorry, we had no control over this).

So, back to the question posed...

While Poles working abroad are now what one could call economic refugees, in the nearest future they may very well be followed by their diseffected brethren, the political refugees. How to put a brake on it? Oddly enough, there won't be any religious refugees as Poland stands to become a country of unemployed, educationally undistinguished (and indistinguishable), Catholic zealots.

Perhaps a middle way is possible, India has prototyped it for the world, it goes by the name e-outsourcing (according to PolBlog). Poles might not have to leave mother Polska afterall -- telecommunting expanded across EU borders might just allow talented Poles to work abroad from home.

And this time, DO talk back.

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Poland Looks at Environmental Liability Directive: Major Problems with Proposed Transposition Law

2006-06-26T09:02:00.000+02:00

New EU Requirements Can Add a Layer of Complexity or Pave the Way for a Cohorent Regulatory Scheme

The transposition of the EU Environmental Liability Directive, 2004/35/CE, in Central Europe affects a broad range of companies in complex ways. The Directive generally is prospective, i.e. directed toward events that occur after April 30, 2007, the date it must also be transposed by Member States. The Directive creates liability for environmental cleanup and damages to natural resources, specifically habitats protected by EU Directives. Unlike some directives, the ELD leaves many issues to the Member States’ discretion. The scope of liability, the legal defenses available, the scope of habitats covered, and the financial security provisions are all largely open issues. Any business that handles chemicals or produces waste will face a new set of national rules arising out of the transposition process for the ELD. One UK small business organization commented: “The Directive is one of the most controversial, and potentially far-reaching, pieces of environmental legislation negotiated by the EU to date.”

There are also immediate effects of the Directive that extend to situations besides these future incidents. First, the Directive also encourages Member States to adopt financial security mechanisms for assuring that the operators of activities that handle potential pollutants have the financial means to address the future problems. The scope of this can be seen by the draft Spanish proposal that would require one million Euro for the lowest risk, covered activity in either insurance, a bond, or cash reserve. Similarly, the draft Czech law compels mandatory insurance, which is not now available (and may not be by 2010 according to the UK Environmental Minister). Without insurance, the mechanism for operators, if compulsory, will be prohibitively expensive. Alternatives do exist, as discussed below, that promote the objective of creating a market for these financial arrangements and satisfy the Directive without the major economic impact.

Second, the practical difficulties of determining when damage occurred, and what event caused them, make the cut-off date somewhat illusory. If a leaking petroleum tank in discovered in late 2007, is all of the damage at the site covered, even what occurred before 2007? Practically speaking, it is probably impossible to make distinctions within the same contaminated area over when the pollution occurred. Past damage from intentional dumping or inadvertent releases is vastly larger than the prospective releases after 2007; these cumulative problems will often get “bumped” into the “prospective” regulatory scheme of the ELD. The problem is added to by some member states’ proposed legislation, such as Poland, which
suggests that the date of “discovery” of the problem will be the controlling event (potentially limiting the April 30, 2007 date’s significance). The ELD also requires notification of the “competent authorities” when contamination is discovered by the operator, creating a new requirement that can open up issues related to old sites of contamination.

Third, there is an opportunity to use the ELD transposition to address other issues in national laws relating to existing contaminated sites. In Poland, for instance, the existing soil contamination standards are rigid numeric criteria that are unrealistically expensive. The ELD uses risk assessment procedures to make this determination, which are much more cost-effective. There is a logic and appeal to making the existing law use the same criteria, now advocated by the EU. In the Czech Republic, as in Bulgaria, there is no clear soil and groundwater contamination law; authorities use existing laws on water resources and other rules to provide some “make-shift” coverage. Using the transposition law to create an integrated, coherent legal scheme is also appealing.

So there are several issues in the transposition of the ELD that each have major financial impact to facility operators, transporters, and the insurance industry. Generally, speaking the interest of all business groups are virtually identical. Everyone wants a responsible regulatory scheme that will allow for the risk to become commercially insured on a realistic basis.

1. JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY AND APPORTIONMENT

The EU Directive broadly makes the “operator of an occupational activity” covered by the Annex liable for cleanup and environmental damages. Article 8 makes the terms of this liability up to the Member States. Liability can be “joint and several,” i.e. any one party can be held liable for the full amount of the claim, or it can be “apportioned” among multiple parties. Who bears the burden of proofing “apportionment” – if it is applied - is also an open question. Whether a party singled out by the Government can join other parties or file a subsequent claim against them for contribution is also left for member states to decide.

The argument is that the “polluter pays” principle requires that the polluters pay, not simply the deepest pocket the Government can identify regardless of their degree of fault and responsibility. The solution is likely to be provisions allowing the “joinder” of other others in the administrative procedures; this eliminates the expensive and unpopular notion of private litigation among respective parties. Others argue that the Government cannot be require to find everyone involved and only pursue each’s proportionate share. Allowing polluters to join other parties and proof relative apportionment among themselves is a reasonable compromise. This is not not possible under existing Polish law nor it the proposed changers to transpose the ELD.

2. WHO IS LIABLE

The Directive uses the term “operator” very broadly and seems intended to cover every party who is actually involved in causing contamination. Some language in the Directive (Article 9) even suggest that a producer of a chemical sold and used by third-parties might end up with liability of its eventual disposal. The national legislation will largely decide the scope of liable parties and whether the liability is truly “strict” or based on fault.

The new law should clearly state who is liable on the basis of fault, ownership of the land, or negligence. This should be done clearly and plainly and should be applicable to both existing sites and those covered by the ELD. One needs to remember that both the existing national laws and the ELD transposition law will cover the same “new” sites after April 30, 2007. Clear liability rules are essential in the development of an insurance market and there should be no inconsistencies between the two laws. This is major opportunity to clean up “bad law” in various CE countries.

3. DEFENSES TO LIABILITY

The EU Directive envisions a defense based on: (1) independent actions by a third-party causes the damage; (2) discharges of contaminants approved under permits or government orders; (3) the “state-of-the-art” defense that injury was an foreseeable given the technical knowledge then available. The battle in Brussels over whether to include these in the Directive itself was resolved by making them optional with the Member States. The Commission did state that: “An operator should not be required to bear the costs of preventive or remedial actions taken pursuant to this Directive in situations where the damage in question or imminent threat thereof is the result of certain events beyond the operator's control.” Finding 20, supra.

The possible exception to this principle is that owners of the land seem to have an obligation to address any condition of their land that adversely affects their neighbors, regardless of their fault, once they are on notice of the condition. This principle is centuries old and seems enshrined in European law. If the pollutant release in question was under a permit and within limits, then there is some equity in finding that the Government cannot come back and make a claim for cleanup or damages based on a release that it authorized.

The problem that exists in pubic policy for each of the defenses is that the alternative is for the Government to pay for the cleanup and damage. One solution may be the national fund approach (used in Sweden and Holland) to add a charge to each permit of an activity related to the ELD and to pool the money. If this is a supplemental mechanism to private liability, the fees might be reasonable and this mechanism might be a good “trade-off” for some relaxation of the liability rules.

4. EFFECTIVE DATE

Some national laws use very creative ways of addressing the cut-off date of the Directive. The Polish draft law on the ELD proposes that it will be effective on all contamination “discovered” after April 30, 2007. The “discovery” trigger is inconsistent with the EU Directive [no application to “damage caused by an emission, event or incident that took place before..” April 30, 2007, Article 17]. Damages from such prior acts are excluded, even if they were discovered later. Other national drafts have been confused about whether effects of a prior event are technically covered by the ELD. The Commission seems to have plainly intended that damage “caused by an emission, event or incident” before April 30, 2007 is excluded and, moreover, damage “that derived from a specific activity” before that date is excluded. Article 17, supra.

The issue is complicated by the fact that contamination itself moves and that the identification of the event that caused it is often difficult or impossible. This means that many “new” ELD sites will have potential elements of an “old” site involved. In any event, the existing national legislative scheme will continue to apply to “new” sites covered by the ELD. For example, unless the Polish Contaminated Land Law is amended to conform to the ELD, it will apply different standards to cases “discovered” after April 30, 2007. See Finding 29, Directive 2004/35/CE [“This Directive should not prevent Member States from maintaining… more stringent provisions…”]. Poland is set to have two remedial regimes and companies would have to meet whichever is the most stringent on a case-by-case basis. The transactional burden on companies and the Government will be simply doubled.

Absent provisions that conform existing law to the obligatory portions of the ELD, there will be two sets to requirements and rules for contaminated sites after April 30, 2007. Frankly, lacking the trained and experienced personnel to administer one set of rules, most CE countries will be buried by this burden and the resultant confusion. Obtaining a government sign-off on a remedial plan will be significantly more difficult than it already is.

5. FINANCIAL ASSURANCE MECHANISMS

The EU Directive does not require insurance or other specific financial mechanisms for operators. A compulsory insurance provision was deleted from the draft in Brussels. The Directive only broadly states that: “Member States should take measures to encourage the use by operators of any appropriate insurance or other forms of financial security and the development of financial security instruments and markets in order to provide effective cover for financial obligations under this Directive.” Findings Para. 27.

This provision has a major impact under many national proposals across the whole range of covered industries (irrespective of whether there are any incidents within the scope of the ELD). The easiest approach for a policy maker is to simply “require” compulsory insurance (Spanish draft, Czech draft, etc.). Since the commercial insurance industry cannot be obligated to issue these policies, then other substitute means must be authorized. They involve bonds or cash reserves which are prohibitively expensive because they do not result in any pooling of the risks. The Spanish proposal last year included a minimum one million Euro financial assurance for the “low risk” operators. The Czech draft mandates insurance or cash equivalents. The Polish draft simply authorizes the Ministry to create rules that require insurance or other forms of financial security (This follows the German proposal from 2005). It makes no decision of what will be required or how the rules will help the “development of financial security instruments and markets.” The UK Environmental Minister just stated in May that he did not feel that environmental insurance for these problems would be available there until after 2010. The Danish EPA commissioned a study by KPMG on the subject which concluded: “Markets for financial security should be developed gradually and as a statistical basis becomes available.” KPMG makes recommendations on the steps necessary to develop this market for insurance and its approach should be incorporated into the national legislation.

5. CLEANUP STANDARDS

Poland currently uses rigid numeric standards for soil cleanup under the Contaminated Land Law. These standards require removal of all soil above the numeric concentrations regardless of the risk, or lack of risk, at the specific site. This approach has proven unworkable in Poland and in other countries that initially tried it. The ELD uses risk assessment procedures to determine the levels of cleanup as do virtually all EU member states in their existing national laws and administrative rules.

Both the ELD law and the existing Polish Contaminated Land Law will apply to sites “discovered” after April 30, 2007 in Poland. See above. This creates an administrative nightmare and needless burden of all the parties involved, since both sets of procedures must be followed at every “new” site. The existing law should be amended to adopt the same cleanup rules as the ELD. This will encourage remedial actions by being more reasonable and will reduce the burden on responsible parties as well as the government agencies involved. Some other CE countries do not have clear risk assessment legal mandates in their national legislation (Bulgaria) and the ELD transposition is an opportunity to create one coherent set of common rules of the scope of remedial action.

6. HABITAT DAMAGE

The EU directive caused quite an uproar on the issue of damages to “biodiversity.” The Directive in the end only applied this concept to narrowly defined habitats protected by prior EU Directives, the so-called Natura 2000 sites. These represent a small part of most CE countries, even if the national conservation and protected wildlife sites are added (discretionary with member states). It is unlikely that most of this land will be the subject of industrial operations covered by the Directory. Moreover, if established protocols are used to evaluate the habitats, the amount of financial exposure will be relatively small. The United States has allowed natural resource damage claims for about twenty years and has developed extensive experience with evaluation methodology. Generally, a “Habitat Equivalency Analysis” is used to find the price of land with the same natural features and wildfire. Thousands of US claims have been made and paid and they generally do not involve large amounts.

The rational apporach is to simply put into the Polish law that “established methodologies” for habitat evaluation will be utilized. This will help to avoid some wild-eyed theory about habitats that could create financial havoc.

CONCLUSION

Of course, there are other issues with the ELD, but these are the major ones. The number of businesses affected is very large and the impact of some of the rules, especially the financial assurance schemes, will affect everyone. Companies with existing, known contamination will likely face the issue of reporting it under the ELD (depending on the circumstances and the national law). Any company with existing contamination issues should also be extremely interested in using the transposition process to get a single set of workable and cost-effective requirements that will apply to all cleanup activities.

For more infpormation, CONTACT: "Randy Mott"

Only in Poland

2006-01-15T09:19:00.000+01:00

Another Only in Poland Blogbyte

A 76-year-old man in Lodz reported his 47-year-old son to the police for chaining him to a wall in their house for a fortnight. However, his wife and son both claim that he invented the whole story. The family is apparently well-known in the area for its troubles and heavy drinking.

Source: New Warsaw Express

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Positively Poland

2005-12-21T13:42:00.000+01:00

Some Local Holiday Photos

Last minute Christmas shopping at Promenada (Warsaw)

Haggling over Christmas trees (We got one for 20 zloty!)

A man and his dog (notice the lack of Christmas
decorations or lights in apartment windows, just
one week from Christmas, why?)

Now where in Warsaw could this be?

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PolBlog.pl Launches new anti-Corruption Project in Poland

2005-12-15T09:34:00.000+01:00

We all hear about the "c" word in Poland and have probably heard about the latest Transparency International Report on corruption in Polska. PolBlog interviewed an official from the local TI office last month, and both Warsaw Station and the Beatroot had something to say about it.

In response, PolBlog introduces "Whistleblower 24/7." Whistleblower is an e-Democracy project to shift the balance of power from rulers to those ruled. By allowing citizens (in Poland) to anonymously post instances of corruption (in Gov't or Business) on an open forum for all to see, those who engage in shady behavior will be exposed more conveniently and to more people.

Any citizen in Poland, at any time of the day/night can register an instance of corruption in this "Whistleblower" forum. This makes the whole process incredibly easy as it avoids phone calls, lines in administrative offices, and bureaucracy that make filing corruption complaints unpleasant, time-consuming, and rare.

Whistleblower is not the end of the process, but rather the beginning...once a complaint is posted (with an optional survey), we will notify the appropriate officials, directing them to the site to read the post.

To go to the forum, click HERE

A similiar initiative was launched in Estonia (or, E-stonia as it is called in cyber circles), and it is quite popular.

LINKS:

1) Warsaw to set-up anti-corruption office
2) Anti-Corruption Gateway for Europe & Eurasia
3) EU Ombudsman - Complain about EU institutions HERE
4) Protecting your civil rights in Poland
5) Transparency International Office in Warsaw

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Electronic English Petitions - PolBlog's ee-Petition Project

2005-12-12T23:38:00.000+01:00

PolBlog's ee-Petition Project

Upon returning from an invigorating conference in London on e-Democracy and Blogging, we thought an experiment was in order. While not the first project of its kind (starting in Scotland and Germany), e-petitioning is just what English-speakers in Poland need! We did some research, and did in fact find a Polish-language E-petition project already up and running. Amazing! We will be cooperating with the Polish site by cross-posting any successful e-petitions on PolBlog to their site -- so PolBlog's ee-Petition Project will be the first cut, the proverbial editor's chopblock.

To vote on a proposed Electronic English Petition, or to comment about one in the forum, or just to simply (but importantly) vote on a petition, you need to go to the ee-Petition forum. To vote on a petition, you must register (so we can verify that you live in Poland). But other than that the forum is open and anyone can propose a petition (although we reserve the right to remove any bullshit).

The petition must be addressed to local or regional politicans and have something to do with the economic, ecologic, educational, religious, civil, health, atheletics etc state of Poland.

Our first ee-Petition requests that the Warsaw government re-paint the city's ailing recycling bins while running a public education campaign about recycling. Make your voice heard!

Eco-eyesores!

Help! We need some Paint!

Links:

1)Polish Sejm Site

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PolBloglet: Poland in Top 20 Countries with Internet Users

2005-12-06T22:02:00.000+01:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Poland has witnessed a 278% increase in Internet user growth between 2000 and 2005, with the total number of Internauts as of March 2005 at 10.6 million (or almost 28% of Poland's population). As for its penetration rate, Poland is well below the Top 30 countries (Malta with the highest at 78%, USA at #7 with 68% and #30 is Estonia at almost 50%). Though it's above the world average of 15%, with 28%.

Poland ranks #19 in Internet Users

Surprisingly (to me), Poland is listed as 19th of the top 20 countries (in the world) with the most Internet users. This is quite impressive when you consider the economic climate in Poland. According to Internet World Stats:

[C]ertain market structure and cultural barriers to consumer development of the Internet still exist. In Warsaw, one does not see the Internet cafes or price competition for telephone access that can be seen in European cities such as London, where telecommunications has been liberalized. Many people in Poland lack confidence that credit card information can be protected on the Internet. As yet there is no high-speed Internet access, such as digital subscriber lines (DSL) for consumers. And at a cost of $500 to $1,000, computers are still expensive for many individual households.

With such explosive growth recorded in just 5 years, Poland is poised to become a potential Internet intermediary in the region between emerging democracies and democracies on the precipice. There are no stats on either Ukraine or Belarus. As the number of Internet users continues to increase in Poland, there could be a domino effect -- information and dialogue will find its way into countries throughout the region, with Poland playing a key role.

Links:
1) Internet Stats for EU 25
2) Exhuastive and recent overview of Internet usage and trends in Poland
3) Very informative Blog by the Internet World Stats Site
4) Polish Internet Usage Profile/Market Analysis (exhuastive) by New Media Review

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Only in Poland

2005-12-05T00:26:00.000+01:00

Another Only in Poland Blogbyte

A Lodz husband has been arrested after trying to extort PLN 5,000 in cash from his wife’s lover aftershe confessed the details of their affair. After the husband threatened him with violence, the lover informed the police, who arrested the husband. He faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment for intimidation, potentially leaving the illicit couple to carry on as before.

Source: New Warsaw Express

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PolBlog's Daily Dilbert

2005-12-03T13:11:00.000+01:00

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Where is it? The answer!

2005-11-28T22:31:00.000+01:00

What, Where ...and when?

In the first VIDEO edition of our contest we asked you where in Warsaw was our movie made.
...aaAND we have a winner!

BeccaSteel had answered the question on our forum, giving the correct location.

!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!

It's Most Poniatowskiego:

The Prince Poniatowski bridge dates back to the very beginning of the XX c.

It was the third bridge to be build in Warsaw. The other two were "Most Kierbedzia" - today Most Sląsko-Dąbrowski, and a bridge at the Warsaw Citadel - in place of today's Most Gdański.

End of nineteen century Warsaw, under Tzars Russia's rule, was a fortified city - part of Vistula defense line against possible German invasion. City's government was ignoring the needs of a growing population in favor of maintaining the strategic barrier of the river. It took a bribe to finally get their acceptance for the projects - seems that, for over a 100 years, certain things didn't change.

Original neo - renaissance design of the bridge's entrance towers and pavilions was a work of Stefan Szyller, one of distinguished architects of the era, author of the Polytechnic building, and Warsaw's University's entrance gates. Technical design was done by Mieczysław Marszewski, who also supervised the building process (and was later arrested over too high costs of the project - again, it sounds familiar).

The works begun in 1904. It took almost ten years to complete. Across river communication was established in 1913 - the 100-year anniversary of the death of prince Józef Poniatowski. Hence Warsaw's citizens started referring to it as "The Poniatowski Bridge" (or simply - "the third bridge"). The crossing was officially opened in 1914, and given the name of Tzar Mikołaj II.

It's beginnings were - well... - unlucky. The very next year, over the course of the Great War, Russian army retreating from Warsaw blew up part of the bridge. Germans, who replaced them, set to rebuild it: temporary wooden "patch" allowed the crossing to be reopened in 1916 - only to be destroyed by fire the very next year...

In the II RP renovation started in 1921. It was partially completed in 1925, and finished in '27. Together with newly developed Saska Kępa district, the bridge formed a model of urban development for city officials who at some point aspired boldly - and in vain - to hold Word Exhibit. (Just as today Polish officials have a peculiar hobby of aspiring for organization of various sport events...)

During Warsaw Uprising, Poniatowski Bridge was destroyed again. Before blowing it up in the face of advancing Red Army, Germans used it to cover Old Town with fire of 88 mm cannons.

In 1946 the crossing was repaired, but the original design suffered a lot. During the fifties the towers on the right riverbank were torn down. In the sixties the bridge was broaden, with two new lanes added. Finally, during the five year renovation of 1985-90, it was partially restored to it's original shape, although not it's full glory.

~~oOo~~

In the end, another little contest.

On the second of May, 1926, around 5.00 p.m. our bridge was a meeting point for certain two gentlemen. Who can tell who they were?

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7

Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.

Read the news then share your views

Gdzie to jest? / Where is it?

2005-11-19T14:22:00.000+01:00

Does it look familiar to you? Play our guessing game!

The first VIDEO edition of our contest!!!

Guess where - in Warsaw - was this video taken, and what is the object/place in it?

Use the "COMMENT On BLOG FORUM" feature to publish your answer.

The first correct one will be displayed as a caption, together with author's e-name: glory to the winner! Please include the country/city/district you are writing from....

You have one week.

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Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.

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Only in Poland: Hard Time Doing Hard Time

2005-11-11T10:52:00.000+01:00

Another Only in Poland Blogbyte

Poland’s prison authorities are appealing to business leaders to employ their inmates. The country’s prison system has some 60,000 inmates who do not have regular work, and it can hire them out for half the standard minimum wage. “If [employers] are not happy with their work, there’s no problem with firing them,” prison service general Andrzej Popiolek told the daily Gazeta Wyborcza this week, adding that most prisoners are conscientious workers.

Most of the ones [prisoners] let out to private companies are serving time for petty crime, such as defaulting on alimony. Only 26 percent of Poland’s prisoners have any type of employment, the lowest such rate in the European Union.

Source: News Warsaw Express

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Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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Friday Night Bloxing!

2005-11-04T22:37:00.000+01:00

Ladies and Gentleman! Tonight's bout features three unknowns, thus far, in our midst. We welcome your participation on the forum, after the initial blows are exchanged by our participants. The only rules: Keep it clean, and no below the belts.

The issue: The alleged secret prisons in Poland.

The contenders:
1) In the light blue trunks, hailing from Toledo, Ohio - "Two Crackas in My Soup..."

2) In the navy blue and tan trunks, from Portland Oregon - "Secular Front"

3) And finally, in the angelic white robe from the eastern United States, give it up for "A Conservative Blog for Peace"

Let's get it on!

Round One: Ding...

First jab, Two Crackas in My Soup...

First, if the HRW can be trusted (and that has yet to be established), so what if the CIA has terrorists holed up in Poland and Romania? These people are not just enemies of the U.S. They are enemies of all Western culture. If you think they don't like us, wait till we are out of the way and they have a free hand to go at the super-secularist governments in Western Europe. Personally, I feel BETTER now that I know that al Qaida thugs are being stuck in small, dank, filthy cubicles in Poland, rather than trying to infiltrate the U.S. to kill our citizens or Iraq, to fight our troops.

Contender #1

Secular Front responds with an uppercut:

Turns out Europe is not so sanguine about having secret detention camps on its soil. Rumors that CIA gulags have been established in Poland and Romania have endangered those countries' status in Europe. Although proudly touted as the stalwart new Europe by Rumsfeld, Poland and Romania are now scrambling to deny any connection with the secret detention program.

Contender #2

Out of nowhere comes a third unknown, A Conservative Blog for Peace, wait a minute, an unorthodox move in Bloxing, but it might just work:

CIA prisons in Poland, Romania
Lord, in thy mercy: hear our prayer

Contender #3

Ding!...Round One ends, the opponents seem evenly matched, but time will tell...let's go ringside now...

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBlog's Daily Dilbert

2005-11-04T22:05:00.000+01:00

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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Poland's Intellectuals - A Grey Matter

2005-11-04T13:05:00.000+01:00

News Poland
In from Wikipedia:

The 2005 Global Intellectuals Poll

The 2005 Global Intellectuals Poll is a list of the 100 most important living public intellectuals in the world which has been compiled in November 2005 by Prospect Magazine (UK)

The Top 20

Noam Chomsky
Umberto Eco
Richard Dawkins
Václav Havel
Christopher Hitchens
Paul Krugman
Jürgen Habermas
Amartya Sen
Jared Diamond
Salman Rushdie
Naomi Klein
Shirin Ebadi
Hernando De Soto
Bjørn Lomborg
Abdolkarim Soroush
Thomas Friedman
Pope Benedict XVI
Eric Hobsbawm
Paul Wolfowitz
Camille Paglia

According to continent of birth, roughly 40% came from USA and Canada, 25% from Europe and Russia, 22% from Middle and Far East. The other continents received less than 5% (Latin America with 4), Africa with 3 and Australia with two.

View: Well, it's re-assuring to see a Pope of the Catholic Church in the top 20. Perhaps it will bring some 'on the fence' Catholics back in the flock. Although the late Pope JPII wasn't an intellectual lightweight. But I scanned the list of 100 and nary a Polish intellectual to be found. As a grad student here in Poland, I have come across some heavyweights, at least in Philosophy. How seriously should one take this kind of poll? Perhaps language was a factor? And some of the people on the list promoted themselves shamelessly. Does Poland have a dearth of public intellectuals? Now seems like the right time for a few to step forward. Is there a culture of anti-intellectualism in Polish society? It seems to be present in a common opinion I hear from Poles that they value practical knowledge, and that in Poland they get too much theory at school -- this could tie into the generally perceived stereotype of the aloof, 'egghead' intellectual and that this kind of thinking is useless in a society where most people are involved in manual labor, or simply need jobs. And the Church here in Poland, I am not so sure it's a citadel of critical thinking.

The role of the public intellectual is very important as a critical voice. Partly because there is also a virulent strain of anti-intellectualism -- We have a long history of it in North America ("The more learned and witty you bee, the more fit to act for Satan will you bee." circa 1642). One of my heroes is Jurgen Habermas (in top 10 this year), and of course one of the greatest, Socrates, and the endearing Diogenes can't be forgotten. And what happened to France this year? From the recent news in France it looks like 1968 all over again, but what really are the young people today fighting about?

Anti-intellectual contrast

Poland could use a public intellectual, especially in a society so homogenous -- because there is plenty of inertia to keep people from thinking against the grain (or upstream), afterall, why rock the boat if most people agree on fundamental values? Although the latest Presidential election revealed some social cleavages. Then again, as a society becomes more diverse it will need to address the question of plurality along a number of important issues connected with values, and public intellectuals can put into words and engage the public in ways that most of us cannot.

Links:

1) Wikipedia Article

2) Prospect Magazine - Results Summary

3) Much better lists of intellectuals are based on objective criteria, such as that compiled by Richard Posner at the University of Chicago. See his table in a large pdf file (32 pages)

Poland by Bloggers: A Round up

2005-11-02T16:36:00.000+01:00

Poland by Bloggers Roundup

Blogging isn't just about 'me, me, me!' - no longer just a prosthetic ego, or somewhere to throw a cybertantrum about one's life -- the territory has expanded to include people looking outward, wanting to discover something in common and make connections along shared concerns -- what we call affinity networking. At PolBlog we intend to present news reports, analysis, and stories from blogs that we judge to be in the latter category. And so we are launching this new "Round up" feature in order to highlight the good (bad, and the ugly, AND voluntary!) work being done by fellow citizen journalists. The only criterion we will keep is that the information is connected to Poland.

We know many bloggers who are putting long hours into their blogs and doing quality work. It's time to 'represent' -- this medium merits recognition as a legitimate source of reliable information and analysis. At PolBlog we believe that you can find trustworthy information in the blogosphere without relying on any other media for news. This is a bold thesis, but from our experience so far, it's not an exaggeration.

We don't necessarily share the particular view of every blog we mention, we simply suggest to you that they are worth reading at a given point in time.

So, without further ado...

We found this story about the recent Polish Presidential election in a rather unobvious place - a blogger in Egypt! The blog Scottymac.blogspot.com published a story today that we found interesting. In part because in included a wonderful, and telling electorate map of the vote in Poland . Wow! Take a look at what happens to voting as you go either further east or west from the center of Poland.

The website of Polish daily Rzeczpospolita has an illuminating map of district-by-district results in Poland's recent presidential election, which pitted an economic liberal (in the European sense; that is, a free-marketeer)against an anti-gay, staunchly Catholic social conservative who believes strongly in the welfare state.

The east-west divide on the map looks positively Ukrainian to me. Marek Kohn, a writer and journalist, notes how Tusk, the neo-lib, did well in "formerly German territories of the west, where the communists rebuilt a society on razed ground after the war."

Russia is clearly still exerting an influence, pulling Poland apart?

Link to full article

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBloglet: Poland Ranks

2005-11-01T23:30:00.000+01:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Poland's International rankings

Human Development Index 2005: Rank 36th out of 177 countries.

Reporters Without Borders world-wide press freedom index 2004: Rank 32nd out of 167 countries.

Index of Economic Freedom 2005: Rank 41st out of 155 countries.

Source: Wikipedia's Entry on Poland

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBlogcast: Halloween, All Saint's Day, and 95 Theses

2005-10-30T21:03:00.000+01:00

Another PolBlogcast

In our PolBlogcast today we change the subject from Polish elections to a comparison and celebration of two very old and often seen as conflicting traditions: we are speaking of course about Halloween and All Saints Day (in Poland called Zaduszki?).

The Jack-o-Lantern: Symbol of the

trickster who even fooled the Devil!

Most Poles (young and old) I speak with about Halloween really don't understand its origins, usually describing it in the superficial way that most in the USA do when they go from house to house and say 'trick or treat'(smell my feet give me something good to eat!) dressed up like clowns or Casper (the friendly ghost). Few Poles know about the very Halloweenish "Jezi Baba" from their pre-Christian past. Sounding as formidable as any witch from Western lore:

Jezi Baba is portrayed as a witch who flies through the air in a mortar using the pestle as a rudder sweeping away the tracks behind her with a broom made out of human hair. She lives in a house that revolves around by means of three pairs of chicken legs that dance. Her fence outside was made with human bones that had skulls atop of them.

Googleween

Test your knowledge of Halloween traditions,Take the PolBlog Poll

And also today, according to traditional accounts, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses onto the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany, marking the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

Halloween Chart Buster: Monster Mash Music
(A Nice fusion of traditional with pop culture)
(3 minutes)

The first of about 9 sequels!

PolBlogcast: Halloween, All Saint's Day, and 95 Theses
(20 min. w/Bonus Song)

Links:

1) Monster Mash performance (with lyrics)

2) Pre-Christian Polish Pagan Pantheon

3) Brief history of Polish Paganism

4) The Vigil of All Hallows (Hallowe'en) - From Irish folk piety

5) Classic Halloween fare, Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" - You can buy the MP3 file for about 9zl, listen to Ichabod Crane!

6) Google has even changed its icon today and provides a search list connected with Halloween.

7) The History Channel is even in on the tradition

8) Halloween without Michael Myers is 'holloween' - remember the 1978 classic slasher that spawned at least 8 or 9 sequels?

9) The Halloween Capital of the World - Anoka

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.

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PolBloglet: Chicago supported Kaczyński

2005-10-30T15:05:00.000+01:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Some sites in the USA are reporting that about 80% of eligible Polish voters in Chicago voted for Kaczyński. The tough on crime image of Kaczyński may have convinced Poles living in Chicago that he is the right choice, rather than the economic reformist Tusk.

Test your history of Europe, take our PolBlog poll

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBlog's Daily Dilbert

2005-10-29T14:36:00.000+02:00

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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Jaded for Free: Lies, Damned Lies, and Public Opinion Polls

2005-10-26T23:11:00.000+02:00

Jaded for free
By Jordan Seidel

A few of us bloggers (1, 2) in Poland have noted the marked disparity between the election results and information from polls before the election. Polblog conducted its own Internet survey, and lo and behold, our survey didn't reflect the results either. Almost 80% of our respondents indicated that they would not vote for Lech Kaczyñski, while the remaining 20% said they would give him their vote. So, how to explain this? Like some of us suggested in earlier bloggings, Internet access is like phone access - it already excludes a certain segment of potential 'pollees.'

The sense of a good situation in Poland increased this month (10/2005)
Source: CBOS (PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH CENTRE), Poland.

Then there is the difference between face-to-face and telephone interviews. Whereas face-to-face interviewees tend to be a bit less truthful (politically correct) and feel a need to 'perform' or look informed by giving any answer instead of "I don't know" - telephone subjects apparently get impatient, or tired sooner and visual cues are missing. And as mentioned earlier, not everyone in Poland can be interviewed by phone which skews things. I'm not a person who studies poll taking and making, just sharing some info I've read. Although I have found conflicting research which tends to view face-to-face interviews more positively:

[T]elephone polls measure the “mood” or the “emotional” response to an issue, whereas face-to-face polls measure the more considered response—and that voting is best measured by capturing the electorate’s considered response—as their vote on the day will be a considered one. (See Roy Morgan Research, Finding No. 3472, 13 November 2001).

Ok, so there isn't a consensus on the best way to collect the opinions (and how to weigh the answers once gathered), now how about the way the results are distributed, and presented?

Can we, as some have suggested, look at polls through the framework of quantum physics? No, I'm not Tuvak and you are not on the bridge of Capt. Janeway's Voyager. Some social scientists have argued for the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle in polling:

The problem faced by pollsters is when they measure and report the intentions of likely voters, they alter the population of likely voters, and sometimes they even alter the votes of the very people they polled.

But some are uncertain about the Uncertainty Principle's real influence on behavior:

The conclusion is that any effects are difficult to prove and in any case are minimal. Opinion polls do provide a form of “interpretative assistance” which helps undecided voters make up their mind. But the media are full of such interpretative aids, including interviews and commentaries, and in this perspective, election polls are a relatively neutral and rational interpretative aid.

Hold on, according to some, the Polish case is noteworthy:

[T]here is strong evidence that opinion polls under certain circumstances might in fact influence election results (Holmberg and Petersson 1980; Petersson and Holmberg 1998). One important example is proportional election systems with a threshold limit, such as Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Sweden. Surveysshow that tactical voting, that is whether or not to support a party close to the barrier for parliamentary representation, is partially based on media reporting of poll data.

Clear as mud -- At the end of the day, we may have to accept the wisdom offered about polls by US humorist E. B. White:

The so-called science of poll-taking is not a science at all but a mere necromancy. People are unpredictable by nature, and although you can take a nation’s pulse, you can’t be sure that the nation hasn’t just run up a flight of stairs.

As some have suggested it might not be about objectivity at all. Are polls actually instruments of deliberate influence? And how closely tied is Polish media with polling organizations? An article in the USA recommends some critical distance between media and polling organizations -- to be put there primarily by journalists (who else will ask the difficult questions?). Interestingly, recent surveys find that under 60% of Poles trust mass media -- so perhaps polls have less influence than some of us foreigners suppose. The whole concern over how badly the polls got it in terms of predictive efficacy in this last election, might come down to our own cultural filters linked to higher levels of trust in mass media at home (though I don't know what the surveys say about trust in USA mass media outlets).

Alas, the best predictive poll we may have then is the one that takes place in the booth on election day...I don't think there is a 'silver bullet' answer to the problem with the recent polls - perhaps just a case of sour grapes from Tusk voters?

Links:
1) Report (.pdf file/ 31 pgs): The Foundation for Information is an independent organisation registered in Amsterdam. It was formed in 1996 by ESOMAR. The Foundation operates on a world-wide scale. It takes action to protect the rights of individuals and commercial enterprises to obtain and make use of information without any unfair or unnecessary restrictions.

2) foundation for information policy research

3) "Regulating Election Polls" - Olof Petersson Research Director, Democratic Audit of Sweden, Centre for Business and Policy Studies

4) ESOMAR is the world organisation for enabling better research into markets, consumers and societies. With 4000 members in 100 countries, ESOMAR’s aim is to promote the value of market and opinion research in illuminating real issues and bringing about effective decision-making.

5) World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR) was founded in 1947 by a group of experts and scholars interested in promoting and improving public opinion research all over the world. Since then, WAPOR members have effectively worked with this aim in mind. Polish representative: Dr. Krzysztof Zagórski (CBOS, Poland)

6) The International Survey Center conducts research on social, economic and political issues using survey data from large, representative national samples from many nations. Most of our work is addressed to sociologists, economists and political scientists; it is based on rigorous multivariate statistical methods and is regularly published in sociology's leading academic journals.

7) Central European Opinion Research Group Foundation (CEORG)- The Central European Opinion Research Group (CEORG) is a newly established research foundation consisting of three major public opinion research institutes in the Czech Republic (Centrum pro výzkum veřejného mínění, CVVM), Hungary (Társadalomkutatási Intézet, TÁRKI) and Poland (Centrum Badania Opinii Spolecznej, CBOS)

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBlog's Daily Dilbert

2005-10-26T11:25:00.000+02:00

PolBlog's "Caption This!"

2005-10-24T15:28:00.000+02:00

Captionable

Submit your best caption using your humor, wits, and creativity (and knowledge of Polish/Poland). Use the comment button to submit. Click on image to enlarge. Powodzenia!

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBlog's Daily Dilbert

2005-10-24T11:50:00.000+02:00

Oh _ _ _k, it's the Duck!

2005-10-23T20:42:00.000+02:00

News Poland
just in from TVN24

Luck or not, according to the latest polls, Poland's next President is Lech Kaczynski.

Poland's new leader

If you're anxious, your concern is misplaced according to the Center for International Relations (reported in International Herald Tribune):

'I think there will be differences in accent, in verbal policy, but the real strategy will be the same,' said Antoni Podolski, policy director for the Center for International Relations.

Leads by 7.0%

The turnout was a shade under 51%...historically quite impressive.

Turnout almost 1% higher than Round 1

Join us on our new forum to share your reactions.

"Sto lat!" -- PiS crew throws a party

Other bloggers reporting the news on the Beatroot and Warsaw Station.

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Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBlogcast: Poland and Corruption (Interview)

2005-10-22T21:11:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

In this latest PolBlogcast we interview the Chairwoman of Transparency International Poland (Polish site) – Malgorzata Brennek.

We were prompted to do this PolBlogcast as a result of a few things. Not only did the recent Transparency International Global Corruption Report 2005 results come out, but a few bloggers in Poland have been reporting and discussing the results. For example, Warsaw Station announced the news with the headline "We're Number One!" It's not even disappointment, but a tone of disgust and resignation that quite a few English language bloggers in Poland are sounding.

According to the Report, Poland ranked last among EU states in the Global Corruption Perception Index, with Finland at the top, squeaky clean. This is a crucial indicator for many global investors because as an 18th century British philosopher once said (to paraphrase): "Perception is reality." And so the perception of Poland as corrupt doesn't do much for its image. Furthermore, as our colleague at the Beatroot reports, there may just be a link between cheating in school and dubious behavior in politics (an area rife with corruption).

In our interview, Ms. Brennek spoke about the Legal Aid Program at the Polish office. And she also announced the launch of a corruption forum on the Polish site. The Forum is only in Polish right now, but we posted a request on the site for just a single thread in English, we'll see. Ms. Brennek also provided a concise definition of corruption itself (How do you define it?). Additionally, she wondered how much the current Polish Presidential candidates are committed to fighting corruption, much of it reportedly in government itself.

As always, we invite your comments, and proudly announce our new (and improved) Blog Forum. We hope it will be easier and more interesting to use and participate.

PolBlogcast: Poland and Corruption
(Interview - 9 min)

Links mentioned in this PolBlogcast:

1) Get your daily dose of world corruption news

2) CORISweb is Transparency International's (TI) Corruption Online Research and Information System, a portal, which provides all those with an interest in anti-corruption and governance issues with easy access to high quality, processed information.

3) Transparency International

4) the Beatroot

5) Warsaw Station

6) Global Corruption Perception Index 2005

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Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBlogcast: Warsaw Bomb Alert Interview

2005-10-21T13:00:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

In this PolBlogcast, we interview Newsweek (Polska) journalist Wojciech Rogacin about yesterday's bomb hysteria in Warsaw.

A few issues came up, for example, did Mayor Lech Kaczynski squander a golden opportunity to make peace with a part of the Polish electorate with his rather ambiguous comments regarding the connection between the dummy bombs and claims of responsibility by a radical gay group (Gay Power Brigade)?

Was this a staged event by the government itself? Will this event actually bring sexual minorities and more liberal leaning Poles together as a voting bloc?

How well prepared was Warsaw for such an attack had it been genuine? Where were you when you heard the news? How much is the government doing to prepare its citizens for such a situation? Did you feel well-informed by authorities?

Do you think the EU could give more support? Was this story buried by the world media?

As always we invite your comments!

This interview was conducted by mobile phone and so we apologize for any problems with quality.

PolBlogcast: Warsaw Bomb Alert Interview
(9 minutes)

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Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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Where is it? The answer!

2005-10-19T23:05:00.000+02:00

Who, What, Where ...and why!?!

Last time we asked you where in Warsaw was this photo taken.

It seems that we should've given you more clues... After all our fair city is littered with solemn faced heroes of recent - or not so recent - date.

If the features are not enough...

...maybe the silhouette will look more familiar?

Or does it?

No, it's not a statue erected to commemorate all those anonymous commuters that didn't catch their bus on time.

It's a monument dedicated to Kosciuszko Infantry Division - a Polish Army force formed in USSR, that fought alongside Red Army against Hitler in order to liberate their country - only to be ordered to stop at riverbank and watch the Warsaw Uprising being squashed at the other side.

The monument, designed by Andrzej Kasten, was erected in 1985.

Google Earth view.

And WHERE exactly is it? Between Wybrzeże Helskie and Okrzei str.

The RIGHT side of the river, of course.

Maporama.com - Warszawa

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PolBloglet: Poland Makes Wikipedia's Front Page

2005-10-19T12:19:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Perhaps not a 'muffin choker,' nonetheless Wikipedia's 'Featured Article' today is about Polish History.

We don't know how familiar you are with Wikipedia, but we recommend it as part of your data-mining routine. It has a very impressive Polish language section.

BTW, do you know what 'wiki' means?

Source: Wikipedia

UPDATE: Special PolBlogcast: Not Just for the Birds - Avian Flu Approaching Poland

2005-10-14T10:50:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

In this PolBlogcast we report on the latest information about the Avian Flu. According to our latest updates, Romania doesn't have the lethal strain for humans. We have a number of very informative and up-to-the-minute links below.

If you live in Poland and have any informational updates please share them with us by adding links and comments to this post by using the 'Your Response/Comments' link at the end of this post.

We are in the process of securing a few interviews with some outspoken and knowledgeable folks from the blogoshpere...we will add updated PolBlogcast links below -- just look for UPDATE information.

[UPDATE] In our latest Polblogcast (below) we added a phone call we made to the USA Embassy here in Warsaw. At the moment, they didn't seem aware of the latest news, but they did provide an Internet link. Stay tuned for our interview (recorded on separate PolBlogcast to be posted below)

UPDATE: Special PolBlogcast: Not Just for the Birds - Avian Flu coming to Poland (6 min)

Special Links to Avian Flu News & Resources:
1) Avian Flu - Latest Updates
2) Wikipedia entry
3)NewsNow latest News Feeds about Avian Flu
4)Extensive and Updates Cybrary of Links about Avian Flu
5) An informative essay about the pandemic threat
6) A global forum about the flu -- real-time info

Video Kiosk: "In the Works" - Flurry of Public Work Projects Noted in Warsaw

2005-10-13T00:25:00.000+02:00

PolBlog Video Kiosk

In this Video Kiosk we document some developments in our neck of the woods. Our local park in Grochów, was very much a work-in-progress as we strolled around the not yet ready for prime time bike trails, baby stroller lanes, and pedestrian paths. That didn't stop the locals (like ourselves) from enjoying a beautiful Fall day in the park. We caught a few Public Works officers in action as they worked.

Golden Polish Fall (Złota Polska Jesień)

Is it us or is there a conspicuous increase in the number of city beautification projects afoot? In the past two weeks we have noticed several sidewalk improvement projects throughout the Praga District. Wearing our cynical hats we see these as public relation ploys by politicians to garner votes. On the other hand, there are rumors that fresh piles of EU cash have come in earmarked for such activities. Does it matter, really? There is such a need to fight the entropy that is vandalism and innocuous, but incessant, daily wear and tear that it's hard to object to such tangibles.

Kids (young and at heart) having fun with new equipment

Have you noticed an increase of sidewalk renovations around your neighborhhod? Would you prefer more work done on roads instead?

The local tennis club

It ain't the French Open, but it's clay!

A bit of history in the park -

HQ's of the battle of

Olszynka Grochowska (1831)

As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions...Do you think Warsaw is doing enough in terms of local infrastructure? What's the most important issue in your district?

PolBlog Video Kiosk: "In the Works" -
Flurry of Public Work Projects in Warsaw
(2 min)

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

PolBlogcast: Polish Presidential Election Round #1 - Ringside with the Beatroot

2005-10-11T22:55:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

In our continuing election series of PolBlogcasts, we turn again to the Beatroot for some Polish Presidential punditry. Coming off the heels of a closely watched and contested election, the two leading parties and their candidates stand alone as the sole choices for the Polish electorate. Round One turnout was underwhelming, but with such a slim margin and so much at stake, diseffected voters may just participate.

Profits and Politics

A few interesting issues came up. The role of the Internet was discussed, as well as some pretty ridiculous political slogans. Which party stands to benefit most from the Iraq issue, and how USA-friendly are the key players? The Beatroot also spoke at length about what he called 'supermarket politics' and the so called consumerization of presidential politicking.

As always we invite your comments and suggestions for future PolBlogcasts...

PolBlogcast: Polish Presidential Election Round #1 - Ringside with the Beatroot (12 Minutes)

Links mentioned in this PolBlogcast:
1) the Beatroot

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

Gdzie to jest? / Where is it?

2005-10-09T21:05:00.000+02:00

Does it look familiar to you? Play our guessing game!

Who, What & Where is it?
...and why!?!

Guess where - in Warsaw - was this photo taken, and what IS that guy's problem, anyway...

Use the "comment" feature to publish your answer.

The first correct one will be displayed as a caption, together with author's e-name: glory to the winner! Please include the country/city/district you are writing from....

You have one week.

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The fourth edition of our contest remained unsolved - at least on the blog. We got some correct responses from people in our mailboxes, but none of them left their answer in the comment section here. And that is where it should be published in order to count. Sorry guys. Next time: it's the small link below each post, right hand corner. Looks more or less like that:

0 comments

So, where do you think it is?

ANSWER: inside the escalator from "Trasa W-Z" up to the Old Town.

looks familiar?

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog. Read the news then share your views

Only in Poland

2005-10-07T11:27:00.000+02:00

Another Only in Poland Blogbyte

Two drunks who stole a steamroller from a building site in Legionowo near Warsaw last week were put away by the police, but only after they crashed the machine through a nearby fence. The 23-year-old who did the driving is being charged with “seizing somebody’s else’s mechanical vehicle for short-term usage."

Source: New Warsaw Express

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

PolBlogcast: Poland's Car-nage

2005-10-03T00:50:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

In this PolBlogcast we discuss the sorry state of Polish driving. This was prompted by a number of high profile accidents, lately, a tragic bus crash, that left 11 children dead, and just yesterday a fatal accident involving Olympic swimming champion Otylia Jedrzejczak. And only last month a prominent Polish politican died in a car accident. And it's not only PolBlog that notices a problem, a fellow Warsaw blogger at the Warsaw Station asks the same general question we do, "What is going on?"

Should cyclists surrender?

According to statistics, over 30% of road fatalities in Poland are pedestrians, that's roughly 2,000 people, significantly above the EU average. In many EU countries, when you walk across the street, zebra crossings act as a yield signal to traffic, rather than functioning as a cross-hair like it appears to in Warsaw. How safe is it for pedestrians and cyclists on Polish roads? Tell us what you think...

What Province in Poland recorded the highest increase of car accidents last year? -- Answer our Poll

Can't we just all get along?

Another possible contributor to overall car risk is the infamous Polish driving course (and test). Bribery is purported to often be more influential than actual driving ability. And then there is the cultural dimension that merits attention: social space in Poland is closer than in many western-EU countries, this may express itself in the way people drive as well. A casual observer would notice plenty of erratic lane changing and dangerously condensed spacing between fast moving cars.

Szerokiej drogi! (May the road be wide!)

As always send us your comments!

PolBlogcast: Poland's Car-nage
(Under 10 minutes)

Links mentioned in this PolBlogcast:

1) Car Accident Vocabulary Guide for English Speakers in Poland - Car accidents

2) Polish Ministry of Infrastructure (English)
3) Car accident Photos (no blood, don't worry)
4) European Mobility Week - Warsaw not participating for past 3 years. The Polish Site
5) Informative page about 'No Drive Day in Poland 2004'
6) Critical Mass Project - Warsaw -- Get your ass to Critical Mass!

A Polish driving joke:
A guy was returning home from a cross country business trip. He'd spent many hours behind the wheel and wasn't paying much attention to driving drowsy. He turned on the radio, to keep himself awake -- there was a live report: 'A madman is driving against the traffic on a main road towards Warsaw' -- "ONE madman? I see HUNDREDS of them!" the guy commented irritatingly.

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

PolBloglet: Crouching Dragon, Sleeping Siren

2005-10-03T00:37:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

"We had prepared a survey of 61 business journalists from seven countries on their attitudes towards Poland. We found that Poland was identified with traditional industries such as agriculture and manufacturing,with no recognition of excellence in knowledge industries such as technology. Poland ranked third behind China and India as a country with bright prospects, though most reporters had little knowledge of the country's economic policies or important companies. You must understand the Polish mentality to appreciate the true challenge of competing for foreign investment against such powerhouses as China, India and lesser lights such as Mexico and Russia. One of the Polish journalists I met suggested that she had been taught to sit in the corner doing her work well until recognized by the teacher. "

Source: Edelman.com

PolBloglet: Poland tops EU list

2005-09-29T22:50:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Statistics show that Poland has the highest percentage of university graduates as a share of the under 30 population...Poland scored the highest percentage of tertiary level graduates aged 20-29 in 2002 with 7.8%. It stole the top spot from the UK with 7.7% and France with 7.1%. For the same period, in the ‘engineering, manufacturing and construction’ study area, the countries with the highest share of total graduates were Finland (22.2%), followed by Sweden (21.9%) and, in third place, was Bulgaria with 21.1%.

Source: EUROPA - Research - Headlines

PolBlogcast: Post Election Warsaw - Morning in Poland?

2005-09-28T00:00:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

In our latest PolBlogcast we seek out multiple views regarding the elections in Poland this past weekend. We listened as an impassioned young Pole from Łódż spoke of the quasi-religious duty she feels about her vote. Agata was very disappointed by the low voter turnout (about 40%) and characterized the activity of voting as a secular 'religious' duty for all. Ironically, Agata claimed that she wasn't religious, even though the account she gives of her election weekend travel had all the overtones of a pilgrimage.

"See no evil..."
SAMOOBRONA not a serious contender this round.

Our next interviewee, Peter, works as a diplomat at the Brazilian Embassy in Warsaw. His view was, well, rather diplomatic -- balanced, cool, calm, and collected. He proclaimed that with post-communist parties losing ground, it is a good day for democracy in Poland. As for the unemployed, Peter wasn't as triumphalistic, they still have tough times ahead, he is sympathetic to the more pro-business program of Civic Platform. As for relations with Russia, Peter predicts an emboldened voice reaching the Kremlim from Warsaw.

"Speak no evil..."
SLD did better than expected

Last but not least, the beatroot's Peter Gentle provides a concise and well informed picture of things to come. For example, he forsees some interesting times ahead for relations with Russia and Belarus. Additionally, the Kaczyński twins supply endless conjecture for pundits. For example, should Lech win the presidency next month (a long shot according to Peter), his brother would step down as Prime Minister (assuming he would be supported) -- paving the way for Jan Rokita. Gentle gave the MSM good marks with respect to its coverage of the elections and gave kudos to a fellow Poland blogger operating the Warsaw Station blog.

Will Lech's Party tear itself apart?

As usual, we invite your comments about the content and opinions expressed in this PolBlogcast. Don't be a stranger and we won't either.

PolBlogcast: Post Election Warsaw - Morning in Poland?
(17 minutes - 3 interviews)

Links mentioned in this PolBlogcast:

1) Brazilian Embassy (Warsaw, not found)

2) the beatroot

3) Warsaw Station

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

Gdzie to jest? / Where is it?

2005-09-27T21:24:00.000+02:00

Does it look familiar to you? Play our guessing game!

What is it?

where is it?

Gdzie to jest?

Guess where - in Warsaw - were these photos taken, and what is on them...

Use the "comment" feature to publish your answer.

The first correct one will be displayed as a caption, together with author's e-name: glory to the winner! Please include the country/city/district you are writing from....

You have one week.

***********************************************************************************

The photo in the third edition of our contest was Gruba Kaska at Plac Bankowy. First person to give the answer was rina papadopulu

The top of "Gruba Kaska" and the wall of the Blue Skyscraper in the background

Taken at Plac Bankowy, towards Solidarności ave. (at the tram stop)

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog. Read the news then share your views

PolBlogcast: Poland Votes - A Local View

2005-09-25T18:40:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

In this special Election Day PolBlogcast, we hear how a day at the Polls went for a local Pole, our very own Maria. She managed to snap some photos to give a sense of place and crowd. This is a short report.

Local Polling Station in Warsaw
Sunday After 5pm.

Looked like a moderate turnout, quite a few older folk. It's important to keep in mind that the bulk of voters would have probably come after Sunday Mass earlier in the day.

Quite a few 'silver heads' voting

An important civic duty:
A little divine intervention doesn't hurt -
A nun votes.

As always, we invite your comments about the Election in Poland today. Did you vote? Why or why not? Earlier this week we interviewed a London journalist based in Warsaw. He gave us a sense of what's at stake for Poland in this election. It seems that the biggest issue for many is voting out corruption. We welcome feedback.

PolBlogcast: Poland Votes - A Local View
(5 Minutes)

Who did you vote for?

Listen to our previous PolBlogcast Interview
Special Election Edition: Polish Political Beat (Interview)
(11 minutes)

Links mentioned in this PolBlogcast:

1) the beatroot

2) Official German election results (German Embassy in London)

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

PolBlogcast: Is Virtual Solidarity Enough?

2005-09-25T05:05:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

In our current PolBlogcast we look at the latest public initiative of former Polish President, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Solidarity Icon, Lech Wałęsa. Interestingly, this is a cyber-initiative called "E-Solidarity." E-solidarity promotes itself as:

[A] place of dialogue between different cultures.

We want to get to know each other in order to work together effectively.
We want to have a say in the future of ourselves and the world.
We want to use our joint wisdom, various experiences, different points of view and different ideas in order to eliminate threats to civilisation.

The future of humankind is not only the concern of politicians, businesspeople and scientists.
The future of humankind is our common challenge.

Sounds idyllic doesn't it? In our PolBlogcast we take a closer look at the project. Where is the founder to be seen on the site? Why is the contact e-mail addressed to the marketing department?

Below are the initial questions and answers from the site:

Source: GLOS WIELKOPOLSKI
1. Do you think that there are places on Earth where civilization is at such a high level of development that it is possible only to refine it and not qualitatively change it for the better?
A. Yes, there are countries/societies which have reached the ultimate stage of development. Others will sooner or later reach the same stage.
B. Yes, there are such places on Earth but others will never catch up to them (although they would very much want to), because they will never have the means and the capabilities that developed countries have.
C. No, civilization will never reach such a stage of ultimate perfection as it is a dynamic phenomenon and, although we do not know now what awaits us in the future, given the history of the world so far we can expect changes to take place.
D. No, because there is no one civilizational solution and different world regions can develop in different directions according to different principles, arriving at increasingly better (i.e. more effective) forms of society.

Most believe that we haven't reached the end of history.

Source: DZIENNIK BALTYCKI
2. The community of free people. When will such a epithet of the world be more than a concept?
A. already in our generation
B. towards the end of the 21st century
C. in the indeterminable future
D. never

Respondents were a bit pessimistic.

Source: RADIO KAOS
3. Do you consider human rights, economic progress and fight against terros to be mutually exclusive?
A. Yes. Each of the above can be achieved only with full use of country's resources, but there aren't enough resources for all three
B. No. Despite difficulties we must strive to achieve all three
C. Each of the above can only be achieved through the other two (i.e.: fight agains terror can only be won by pursuing human rights and economic progress

Most believed that the problems are connected.

Source: LBC RADIO & HEART 106.2
4. How can the dual issues of poverty and lack of education be tackled for the majority of the world's people?
A. by the tax for these purposes
B. by the goodwill people individual help
C. by the determined promotion of the global education
D. by the expansion of the high- developed countries’ help missions

The burden falls upon the richer countires.

E-Solidarity is available in 5 European languages -- nice gesture, but what about the other 90+% of humanity (perhaps Asian and Middle Eastern languages, and no Russian, ooops!?). AS always we invite your comments, and ideas for future PolBlogcasts. What would you like to hear?

Listen to the PolBlogcast: Is Virtual Solidarity Enough?
(About 11 minutes)

Links:

1) To answer the survey
2) To join the Forum

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

PolBloglet: Polish coder takes top Google Jam honours

2005-09-25T01:08:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Marek Cygan, a student at Poland's Warsaw University, is the grand prize winner of the 2005 Google Code Jam, Google's third annual computer programming competition.

Source: National Business Review (NBR)

Developing: In related, but unconfirmed, news, Google is planning to set up offices in Poland. Hiring has begun. If you here more on this, post a comment with update below.

Only in Poland

2005-09-23T23:56:00.000+02:00

Another Only in Poland Blogbyte

A Norwegian man won EUR 22,000 in compensation from an international court after Polish courts took four years to return his children to him when his ex-wife broke their Norwegian custody agreement and returned with the kids to Poland.
Events kicked off in 1998 after a separation that followed a period of mental illness for the man’s wife. He was given custody,but on their first visit, the woman took their six-year-old boy and four-year-old girl and returned to her family in Poland.
Under European law, in such circumstances Poland is obliged to return kids to the parent who has custody within months, and if necessary, take steps to put the kids in care until the parent can pick them up. A series of foul-ups by courts and investigators, either accidental or deliberate, meant this case dragged on until April 2003

Source: New Warsaw Express

Jaded For Free: Kaczyñski for Polish Neocons?

2005-09-23T15:06:00.000+02:00

Jaded for free
By Jordan Seidel

For the past 2-3 weeks we have run a Poll asking our PolBloggers "If a presidential election were held today, would you vote for Lech Kaczyñski?" A decisive majority of participants (over 60%) indicated that they would not vote for Kaczyñski, while 16% voted 'yes.' Interestingly, another 21% indicated that they would not vote for Kaczyñski but he "does have some good ideas." Based on my private conversations with people on this issue, which is rather pressing since this is an election year in Poland, the result was predictable. Living in Warsaw, and unable to speak with most Poles (language barrier), I can say that most of the Poles I do speak with (in English) are fairly liberal-leaning. Most of them were disgusted by Mayor Kaczyñski's banning of the Gay Pride Parade 2 months ago -- in defiance, it took place anyway (even though none of these liberal folks actually attended the parade themselves). I read a recent interview [subscription link, sorry] with the Major and he didn't sound half bad. He is against a flat tax, he wants a stronger Poland when it comes to Russia, he rejects the EU Constitution as currently written (so did France and Netherlands), he supports a more independent Poland within the EU integration plan, and he says he will stop corruption (which every Pole I meet complains about). So, why all the *extra-long faces?

21% say he has some good ideas

I have no idea. I don't have the added input of reading how the local press presents Mayor Kaczyñski, but my impression is that in their heart of hearts most Poles would vote for him. These liberal Poles are actually quite the closet neo-cons -- they aren't so very liberal to the end, afterall, how many sincerely support a legal abortion law? How many of them can actually point to a family member who listens to Radio Maria? Or reflexively think that Pope John Paul II is beyond reproach (-- from non-Poles)? Accuracy aside, I think many of them would share Kaczyñski's pragmatism when it comes to integrating into the EU -- and at the very least most are highly ambivalent.

I was discussing this issue awhile ago with a young Polish man who works at a gonzo multi-national bank here. His supposedly killer 'argument' against the Mayor was summed up in two words - 'homosexualists parade.' I suggested that if the Mayor would simply fix the walk-over bridge (which is hideous) in my neck of the Warsaw woods, near Promenada, I would enthusiasitically vote for him. "But what about his mentality?" bickered the young Pole. Just then I imagined a gay Pole and a straight Pole walking past each other as they were crossing the newly renovated Promenada bridge. This practical and shared concern unites people across divides. It seems that many of these younger, closet neo-cons have retained their grand-parent's social policy genes, and their parent's patriotism. That is, they don't necessarily despise government as an actor in pubic life, and most don't want to live permanently abroad (though many want to work or travel abroad). But they also picked up something new -- they are the ones who scoff at McDonalds. What really counts to Poles is what people do for you, and not what they say they will do for you. Everything that Mayor Kaczyñski says he will do is consistent with what Poles would like to see happen. So, why, in their public hearts do they contradict themselves? We have an idiom in English "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater." Are Poles voting for the baby or the bathwater?

*I say 'extra'-long because most of the time the faces are already long - Foreigner observation.
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

PolBlogcast (Special Election Edition): Polish Political Beat

2005-09-21T15:21:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

With Polish election season in full swing, we decided to get the inside scoop from a Warsaw-based journalist from London. Peter Gentle is also a blog-journalist and creator of 'the beatroot' - a blog with a decidely political focus. IN this current PolBlogcast, we ask Peter about the stakes for the average Pole in this election. Why should most Poles care who wins? Why should the EU care?

"Family, Fairness, Future"

Political billboards are everywhere, usually employing the "Do you trust this face?" portrait style image. Peter also talks about the dangerously high unemployment rate among young Poles (>25%) as well as the flat tax issue so popular today in the new EU states and central/eastern Europe.

A bolierplate political portrait poster -
It says "With Hope into the Future"

Focus on Economy
Tusk is a polyglot, but can he speak to the "everyday Pole?"

"Bridging Differences?"

One politician decided to be a bit literal

with the bridge metaphor, but obviously

didn't notice the actual sorry-state of the

bridge itself!

Or is it self-parody?

We invite your comments about the topics discussed in the interview. Do you agree that Polish women aren't expected to have an opinion on politics? How important is the German election uncertainty to you?

Special Election Edition: Polish Political Beat (Interview)
(11 minutes)

Links mentioned in this PolBlogcast:

1) the beatroot

2) Official German election results (German Embassy in London)

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog. Read the news then share your views

PolBlog's "Caption This!"

2005-09-20T06:10:00.000+02:00

Captionable

PolBloglet: Turning Sounds 3 - International Meeting in Warsaw

2005-09-18T14:39:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

TURNING SOUNDS 3, an international conference to be held in Warsaw on September 19-25, 2005.

TURNING SOUNDS 3 is a conference for contemporary music artists: composers, DJs, performers, producers, as well as music critics, journalists and theorists, who are interested in mutual influences between contemporary “high” music and progressive music rooted in pop culture. During the conference, there will be workshops, installations, and concerts around Warsaw.
Source: USA Embassy (Warsaw)

Gdzie to jest? / Where is it?

2005-09-14T13:58:00.000+02:00

And the winner is:

rina papadopulu

who was first to correctly identyfy the location.

Also congratulations to Aleksandra & Ivana, who named the objects portrayed: "Gruba Kaska" & the "Blue Skyscraper" building

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The top of "Gruba Kaska" and the wall of the Blue Skyscraper in the background

Taken at Plac Bankowy, towards Solidarności ave. (at the tram stop)
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TIME'S UP !!!

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Guess where - in Warsaw - were these photos taken...

Use the "comment" feature to publish your answer.

The first correct one will be displayed as a caption, together with author's e-name: glory to the winner! Please include the country/city/district you are writing from....

You have one week.

The photo in the second edition of our contest was a close-up of Kolumna Zygmunta (Plac Zamkowy, Old Town).

BEFORE: King Sigi on his perch, identified correctly by aawil

AFTER: Look familiar now?

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

Time out for Art

2005-09-14T00:33:00.000+02:00

Time out for Art

We know the whole weight
depends on small silences
we fit ourselves into.
~Yusef Komunyakaa

As part of its America Presents program, the USA Embassy in Warsaw (Cultural Affairs Division) hosted a poetry reading by Yusef Komunyakaa, on September 12 at the Traffic Club in Warsaw (Bracka 25). Komunyakaa gave a poetry reading from his new book “Praise of Dark Places”. The book was released on September 7 in Polish by Znak Publishing House.

Traffic Club, Warsaw

Stage

Intro: Ed Kulakowski (USA Embassy),
the Poet, and Polish interpreter

Yusef Komunyakaa

In Praise of Dark Places_Komunyakaa -
Traffic Club, Warsaw, Poland (9/13/05)
[2 Minutes]

Yusef Komunyakaa was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, in 1947. His numerous books of poems include Pleasure Dome: New & Collected Poems, 1975-1999 (Wesleyan University Press, 2001); Talking Dirty to the Gods (2000); Thieves of Paradise (1998), which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Audience

Unnatural State of the Unicorn_English_and_Polish
Komunyakaa (Traffic Club, Warsaw)
[3 minutes - satisfactory quality]

His honors include the William Faulkner Prize from the Université de Rennes, the Thomas Forcade Award, the Hanes Poetry Prize, fellowships from the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, the Louisiana Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam, where he served as a correspondent and managing editor of the Southern Cross. In 1999 he was elected a Chancellor of The Academy of American Poets. Yusef Komunyakaa is a professor in the Council of Humanities and Creative Writing Program at Princeton University. He lives in New York City.

Poems read at Traffic Club:
Ode to the Maggot
Venus's-flytraps
The Smoke House
"You and I Are Disappearing" --Bjorn Hakansson
Anodyne

Praise of Dark Places
(Polish Translation)

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

Only in Poland Blogbyte

2005-09-13T00:48:00.000+02:00

Another Only in Poland Blogbyte

Police in the northern city of Slupsk have cracked a ring of tractor thieves, recovering farm equipment valued at PLN 1 mln. The villains broke into farms, tying up farmers and stashing tractors in nearby locations.

PolBlogcast: The Junk Juggernaut in Warsaw

2005-09-09T22:53:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

One man's junk is another man's...well, junk too.

In our current PolBlogcast we look at the so-called 'junkification' of Warsaw sidewalks by a growing tide of peddlers. Selling household items from a-z, these sidewalk merchants seem to take a diversity of forms-- retirees, parents overloaded with junk, individuals involved in a larger merchandizing ring. But they all appear to share a common denominator -- they are all poor. The majority of photos are of the sidewalks around Rondo Wiatraczna.

Yard sale gone public

A 'haggling' merchant of Wiatraczna

We have seen toys, pipes, stuffed animals, even used vcr tapes, and old DOS software disks. It's both funny and sad. Are these people really desperately poor or are they just unloading their junk (possibly from dumpster diving) to see if someone will snatch it up? Whatever the reality, the truth is that it's clearly illegal and an eye sore for the neighborhood.

At Szembeka corner, a junk-strewn curb

Branching out

We invite your comments about this issue. What should be done? Is this just something that we should tolerate, afterall at least this stuff isn't clogging up the landfills? And who knows, there might be that hidden treasure to be discovered? Maybe these people would do better to get on eBay, or the Polish version called Allegro? Maybe all they need is a microloan?

What's your opinion?

the goods...

At least the 'green grocers' use tables,
and the veggies and fruits are fresh.

Listen to the PolBlogcast (9 minutes)

Links to Sites mentioned in this PolBlogcast:
1) In the Spotlight (Featured Blog): the beatroot
2) Fundusz Mikro is the not-for-profit microfinance institution. It was established in 1994 by the Polish American Enterprise Fund (PAEF) to promote the development of microenterprises in Poland.

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

Only in Poland Blogbyte

2005-09-09T15:43:00.000+02:00

Another Only in Poland Blogbyte

Seventeen tonnes worth of dead pigs tumbled out onto Wroclaw’s Millenium bridge on Tuesday this week, stopping traffic for miles back and butchers’ sales across the city after their lorry transport entered the bridge too fast and keeled over on its side.(Un)luckily for the city’s fish population, say police, none of the dead swine went over the side into the water.

Gdzie to jest? / Where is it?

2005-09-07T23:49:00.000+02:00

And the winner is.....

aawil

current location New Jersey, USA

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King Sigi on his perch, identyfied correctly by aawil

Once again, try to identify this place. This time it should be a lot easier...

The photos in the previous edition of our contest were snapped at Wiatraczna Roundabout (see map image below).

Wiatraczna Roundabout
(from Google Earth)

Use the "comment" feature to publish your answer.

The first correct one will be displayed as a caption, together with autor's e-name: glory to the winner! Please include the country/city/district you are writing from....

You have one week.
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBloglet: Newsletter from USA Embassy in Warsaw

2005-09-07T15:33:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

An informative newsletter published by the USA Embassy here in Warsaw. Showcasing various aspects of American society and culture, mainly for non-Americans. Great for English learners!

Every issue of "Zoom in on America" includes a contest. You can win a book...but you must live in Poland.

The topic this month is "High School Sports"

Source: Zoom in on America: High School Sports (pdf file format)

PolBlogcast: Warsaw and the Broken Window Theory

2005-09-04T19:00:00.000+02:00

Another PolBlogcast

"If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people
walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge."

Our current PolBlogcast explores the state of general disrepair we find among many buildings and neighborhoods in Warsaw.

Local Hospital in Poor Health

Not even good graffiti

"The essence of 'broken windows' is that neighborhood disorder -- physical decay, such as graffiti, litter, and dilapidation; and minor misconduct,such as public drinking and vagrancy -- will, if left unchecked, signal potential miscreants that no one is watching."

We look beyond simply windows, encompassing all signs of social apathy, asking whether what we observe are symptoms or crucial preconditions for criminal activity in Warsaw neighborhoods.

Residents try to cheer the place up

A tragedy waiting to happen?

What are the psychological costs? Is the community really powerless to get rid of eyesores like this. What happens to property values?

Local eye sore

Anybody home? Maybe Herman or Uncle Fester?

PolBlog invites your reactions and personal experiences with this topic -- post your comments below. We will read and respond to them on a follow-up PolBlogcast. Is an "ounce of prevention really worth a pound of cure?"

This pedestrian bridge crosses

to one of the higher-end shopping

malls in Warsaw "Promenada" --

It's essentially a rusting hulk.

The same bridge looking at the mall
entrance - "Broken Bridge" theory.

"Going downhill fast" -
Steps on the same bridge
(click on image for detail)

Listen to the PolBlogcast here (9 minutes):

*Editor's Note: This site looks at brokenness in general and how it influences crime.

**Editor's Note: Wikipedia has an entry on the "Broken Window Theory"

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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Gdzie to jest? / Where is it?

2005-09-01T21:14:00.000+02:00

It's past the deadline!

I see not many of you venture into the RIGHT side of the city...

the answer is:

Wiatraczna Roundabout (from Google Earth)

Wiatraczna roundabout

have a better luck in the next edition of our little guessing game

?

?

Try to identify this place. Hint: it's in Warsaw. ;)

Use the "comment" feature to publish your answer.
You have one week.
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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Virtual Solidarity in Poland

2005-09-01T11:36:00.000+02:00

News Poland
from esolidarity.com

Lech Walesa invited over 100 world media editorial staffs to reflect on the future of the world. He asked them to pose questions on behalf of the cultures they represent regarding the crucial problems of the modern day.

To read and respond to the questions, go to E-Solidarity

View: Cognitariats Unite! Nice try. Is Walesa testing the waters for a broader, pan-European e-campaign? Is he trying to modernize his image to appeal to a younger generation? This could be the pre-text he needs to move onto the world (or EU) stage as a 'player' in diplomatic affairs. From the MSM in Poland, he isn't too interested in a domestic job in politics anyway. The site itself (at least the English language version) wasn't too impressive, only four questions (is this all 100+ organizations could muster?), and they could have proofed the text better. I was also unsure as to how the informaton they requested at the end of the survey would be used -- it seemed like a quasi-marketing cover.

Which leads into an irony here...How many, and who, can actually voice their concerns about the so-called global issues Walesa is interested in discussing? How many people in Poland can participate in this online project anyway? According to the latest statistics between 27-29% of Poles use the Internet (in contrast to a 47% average in the EU as a whole) with over 75% under the age of 25. In a very real sense, Walesa is bypassing Poland here, he's going global. And bypassing not only Poland, but most of humanity, since just 13-15% (or between 900-915 million) of the world's populace has access to the Internet. Again, those most effected by global problems are least able to voice their views. Again, we speak for them.

The Women of Summer 1980 - 25 Years On

2005-08-29T19:55:00.000+02:00

News Poland
by Jordan Seidel

Solidarity for at least 90 minutes

When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Barbara Labuda’s young son said that he wanted to be a political prisoner. That was at the height of the Solidarity movement in Poland, today he is a “good human being,” according to his mom (the current Polish Secretary of State). But his answer was perfectly fit for those times, from a child’s perspective, his parents were both active underground participants ('dissidents') during Poland’s resistance to Communist rule in the eighties, and both found themselves in jail, often alternating their incarceration.

On August 29th, the USA Ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe, hosted a special, first of its kind, conference at his residence in Warsaw. According to the conference participants, this was the first official recognition of the role of women in sustaining Solidarity through martial law. Among the attending and conspicuous dignitaries was former USA Secretary, Madeleine Albright (although she didn’t ‘steal the spotlight’ or make any remarks during the conference). A few Ambassadors of other countries were also recognized, among them Lithuania and Costa Rica. Also present were quite a few key players during Solidarity, they were in the audience and acknowledged by the main conference participants.

Shana Penn, Ambassador Ashe,
Madeleine Albright, Barbara Labuda

The three main participants were author Shana Penn, whose recent work “Solidarity's Secret: The Women Who Defeated Communism in Poland” was about the activities of the female editors of the Solidarity underground weekly Tygodnik Mazowsze. One of those editors, and participants was Helena Łuczywo [Wikipedia link problem], currently Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper (which she helped found in 1989). Before martial law, Łuczywo had managed the Solidarity Press Agency, and before its inception, she was acting editor of Robotnik, a workers' publication she founded. And finally, mentioned earlier, Barbara Labuda currently serves as the Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of Poland, a position she has held since 1998. She was elected to the Sejm in 1989 after decades of political work. During martial law, Ms. Labuda was one of the leaders of the underground opposition in Wrocław. She was active in Solidarity from its earliest days, previously working with the Committee for the Defense of Workers.

Helena Łuczywo, Shana Penn, Ambassador Ashe,
Madeleine Albright, Barbara Labuda

Sandwiches in the Shipyard and The Teller Revolution

According to Labuda, the dominant images of women during Solidarity were connected with activities like “weeping, praying, cleaning floors…making sandwiches.” But this was only a part. Labuda claimed that of the estimated 10 million strong members of Solidarity, half were women – however, and this would have influenced the media’s lens, only 8% of Solidarity leadership was women. During Martial Law (1981-1983) women understood their role as ‘patient revolutionaries.’ An underground paper was published (Tygodnik Mazowsze - up to 80,000 illegal copies each issue) by women to keep the voice of the movement strong serving to take away the government’s monopoly on information. Women maintained a Polish version of the underground railroad with networks of safe houses to hide Solidarity men. Interestingly, cultural blinders in the form of sexism was one of Solidarity’s biggest allies (and Achille’s Heel) since the Secret Police sought dissident men. Labuda stressed that women were overlooked, “the government’s sexism became our secret weapon.” Labuda presented Solidarity women as a backbone of the movement with the long view in mind, this was not the time for dramatic revolution. She referred to it as a “Teller Revolution” in which crucial information was shared in daily chatter and usually without much attention paid by the public, or official bosses within earshot.

An enthusiastic audience

The Fight for Democracy, Treason, and the Decline of the Left

Helena Łuczywo presented the issue more broadly, looking from a global perspective and how women fight for Democracy everywhere. Using Poland and her role during Martial Law as an example, she said that thousands of women were involved, mostly participating behind the scenes, but not always. She mentioned the radio station launched by women in Poznan. Łuczywo made sure to mention that both women and men were necessary for the success of the movement and that the recognition of the role of women in Solidarity is not intended to displace or compete with men – simply to recognize and add historical equity. She also made some critical comments about the ironies of the success of Solidarity – reflecting that the “people who actually sustained and started the movement have become its biggest victims.” We mustn’t forget Łuczywo said, that Solidarity was a working class movement (referring to Robotnik).Will the neo-communists in Poland, ironically, attract these disenfranchised people? She spoke of a treason and that the Left is dying, not only in Poland – there is too little solidarity. “Is this tradition over?” she asked.

Solidarity Today: What’s the Significance?

There were two streams, or threads active in the questions that ensued. One line of thinking looked at the implications of Solidarity for women today. When asked by an audience member, “Where are all the women in public life?” Barbara Labuda said that she frankly didn’t know and was perplexed by the dearth of women in public life. The other line of thought focused more on the quotidian factors brought on during Martial Law, women were responding to real issues of daily importance – the problems were brought right into their homes and they had to respond. The issue wasn’t painted with such broad historic overtones – they weren’t only fighting for democracy buy simply trying to keep their loved ones from being arrested, or getting the next print edition of Tygodnik Mazowsze distributed. Labuda said that having a child during this time was very difficult, and presaged the modern day dilemma of choosing between family or career faced by many women in Poland today. Shana Penn noted that the question regarding the absence of women in public life should not only, if ever, be addressed to women, but rather to men. Now, as during Solidarity, women are not in the public spotlight. However, for at least ninety minutes, on the 25th anniversary of Solidarity, it was women giving a public voice to a movement that defeated communism -- it appeared that history, and how it is perceived, doesn’t have to repeat itself.

25 Years Young

*Editor's Note: Video about Solidarity

**Editor's Note: Several hundred photographs capturing recent history of Poland are on display at the National Museum in Warsaw Aug. 29-Sept. 18. They were taken during the stormy 17 months between August 1980, when NSZZ Solidarity trade union was created, and December 1981, when martial law was imposed in Poland. ~ Source: Warsaw Voice

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBlog's "Caption This!"

2005-08-27T14:20:00.000+02:00

Captionable

Submit your best caption using your humor, wits, and creativity (and knowledge of Polish/Poland). Click on image to enlarge. Powodzenia!

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views

PolBloglet: Lech, the Family Man

2005-08-25T22:26:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

With elections a month away (or less), political billboards in Warsaw are in bloom. Here is one we caught in town. The design is quite different from the standard boilerplate potrait styles. Double-click to get a better look, we translated the Polish slogan into the English caption below the photo. Notice the ever so vogue orange color and the soccer ball (Europe's paradigmatic sport), and of course the men as bookends - nice traditional family.

"Family, Fairness, Future"

A bolierplate political portrait poster -
It says "With Hope into the Future"
But perhaps "Back to the Future?"

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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PolBloglet: Poland to unite World with e-solidarity Project

2005-08-24T22:59:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

[U]nder the patronage of the former Polish President and the chairman of National Co-ordinating Committee of Independent Trade Union \'Solidarnosc\' Mr Lech Walesa.

e-solidarity is designed be an international discussion board, that will make it possible for different cultures to get more acquainted with each other.

From the actual site:

On 31 August 2005 in Gdańsk, we will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the establishing of Solidarity – the powerful social movement which changed the face of the Earth.

On 31 August 2005 – under the auspices of Mr Lech Wałęsa – a new platform for dialogue will be made available for the internet users of the world:

www.esolidarity.com

Lech Wałęsa has invited over 100 television stations, radio stations and press titles from many countries to formulate and present the QUESTIONS TO THE WORLD.

Source: Poland Development Gateway

Stealthy Poland: God knows what else they have

2005-08-18T22:06:00.000+02:00

News Poland
in from Brainsnap:

Poland has been quietly building its own strength. Analysts believe that within five years it could replace the United States as the world’s greatest super power...
Time’ magazine published last week an article entitled, ‘Where the Hell Did Poland Come From?’ [can't find it]...Poland has surprised the world with its rapid advance.According to ‘Time’, its economy is now the third largest in Europe, and growing so rapidly that it will outstrip Germany and the United Kingdom in less than a year.

Poland’s military power is also on the increase. Once the pawn between the two neighboring powers, Germany and Russia, Poland’s armed forces are swiftly emerging as the most technologically advanced in Europe.

Already, Polish courses at major American and European universities have tripled enrolments. Some even argue that Polish may replace English as the major international language of business and communication. “It’ll take a while, but by 2030 it is very possible that Polish will be the most important language on the globe,” MIT linguistics specialist Paul MacNamer told ‘Time.’

Source: Is Poland the Next World Super Power?

View: "Beam me up Scotty!" (God rest his soul) I should have immediately been incredulous when I noted the source of this post - "Brainsnap." Yes, folks, a good description of this article. Is this for real!? Walking the streets of Warsaw, one doesn't get a sense of a people on the verge of obtaining gonzo power status. The first claim is at least plausible, Germany is looking East to invest substantially in Poland's economy (i.e. cheap land, labor, lower interest rates) which will give a boost. Poland is becoming an attractive investment, that much is true.

But taking the cake is the claim about Polish replacing English as the international language of business. Did April Fool's Day come early? Besides the lack of a critical population mass necessary to bringing Polish outside of Poland (perhaps Chicago), I don't see a real interest in Poland for foreigners to learn the language (the dreaded grammar for Westerners). I think that more non-Poles speak Esperanto than speak Polish -- although Esperanto (an export of Poland) might have a better chance at lingua franca status than Polish (some millenium). Not to mention, oops, the huge English language industry here in Poland.

Aside from this, a few words come to mind that interrupt any thought of Poland's ascent to world and word power status -- No seat on Security Council, Sickly Health Care System, Corruption (Rivin-Gate, Orlen-Gate), Corruption (Privatization of PZU), almost totally homogenous religiously and ethnically, and let's not forget those Polish Tourist Industry ploys (Polish Plumber and Nurse).

I just don't see the world power outlook present in the lives of Poles I meet here. Sure, there is national pride (think Pope John Paul II, Solidarity, Warsaw Uprising...). But the fact that many Poles (in Warsaw) are relieved to be in the EU, speaks to insecurity and anxiety about the future rather than a clear and independent sense of itself and its role in the world.

PolBloglet: EU and Plan D(irection)?

2005-08-15T13:51:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Following up on the ealier polblog about Plan D and Poland:

On 29 June, ECAS held a brainstorming meeting of its Board and a seminar (see report) at which it was decided to open our Hotline. You can participate by filling in the questionnaire and mail it back to us (c.gonthier@ecas.org ). The aim of the Hotline is to collect ideas and proposals about how the debate should be organized, what should be the themes, where it should lead, and to make a report to the EU Institutions.

Those that have replied so far stressed that the debate should be initiated for citizens by citizens – bottoms up rather than a top-down approach. Therefore your views will count.

Read here our Press Release

See here the 50 Questions and Answers

Link to the survey ---> HERE

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Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.

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EU Apathy and Russiaphobia

2005-08-14T14:44:00.000+02:00

Jaded for free
by Jordan Seidel

The collective yawn from the EU regarding the recent Polish-Russian mutual beatings, overshadows the Russiaphobia in Poland. The utter invisibility of the story on the major networks (e.g. I haven't seen any news about this on CNN or BBC lately) again raises questions about how much unity exists in Europe.

Imagine the scene if a group of young skinheads in Berlin beat three children of Russian diplomats? And then if two German diplomats, and one prominent journalist were beaten in Moscow? We would see nothing else on major news networks and the EU chambers in Brussels would be mushrooming with panels and fact finding teams to both ease tensions and raise awareness of the negative effects of ignorance and ill-will. We would also see Britain and France weighing in on the issue -- and Poland too would have something to say no doubt.

But alas, this seems to be a backyard dispute between neighbors. What exactly is the EU community for if not to act as mediator and support for its members? In case someone forgot, Poland is an EU member now and should be given the same attention and regard as any other member. It was just this year that the EU was vigorously involved in the so-called Ukraine Orange Revolution and also had some things to say to Russia about it. What happened now that an actual EU member is wrangling with Russia? This isn't Iran or Iraq, it's an issue happening right in EU territory at one of its most important borders.

The media is to blame as it has seemingly shaped the issue in such a way that the actual beatings have taken on the appearance of a local brawl -- such headlines like 'gang war' - conjure images of anarchy and simple minded retribution. The Wild East all over again. But where is the sherrif?

**Editor's note: Another blog on this issue ---> Post Title "More trouble in the east"

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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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Poles need to join Plan D

2005-08-11T21:52:00.000+02:00

News Poland
in from European Citizen Action Service

Following referenda results in France and the Netherlands, the European Council has called for a 'period of reflection to enable a broad debate to take place in each of our countries, involving citizens, civil society, social partners, national parliaments and political parties.' What they did not say is how to organise this debate!

ECAS is collecting opinions from all willing contributors. Through the questionnaire we have already received very interesting propositions on how to organize the debate, what it should be about, possible actors and their respective roles.
Most believe a bottom up approach can best channel people’s views and ideas. That implies local authorities and civil society to lead while the European Institutions would have an enabling role. A European forum could be created in regions. A new Convention could be elected. What do you think?

It is in this spirit that ECAS launches the Hotline. We invite you to fill up the questionnaire and give us your insights and opinions on the future of Europe.

Results will be examined and explored to produce a report which will be submitted to the EU Institutions in early September.

Source: Read the Press Release (small Word doc)

View: I don't know how much exposure this issue is getting in Poland's MSM (mainstream media), but I haven't heard anything that would inform Poles about this new project to gather EU citizen opinions and attitudes about issues such as immigration and the EU Constitution. The ECAS organization is launching this Hotline as a way to measure what EU citizens think is the best way to talk about (to Debate) the hot issues in Europe. Another report from ECAS reveals a perception/reality gap on the issue of enlargement and fear of an immigration deluge Westward -- in fact, free movement of citizens from new to older member states is reported to be under 1%.

You can read the report summary and actually answer a survey to help them fill in the information gaps they have on newer countries regarding migration. After the 'Polish Plumber' story and how it may have influenced the 'no' vote in France and Netherlands, it's important that Poles register their voices in this ongoing and developing debate. But as usual most Poles seem apathetic to this -- it might have something to do with all the billboards mushrooming around Warsaw with Polish politicians and their families begging us for their vote (Did you see the billboard on Lech Kaczyñski? A little scary -- but obviously communicating its message nicely)

*Editor's note: A useful summary of the topic (with good reportage on Poland) can be found on EUobserver.com ---> HERE

UPDATE: I sent a letter to ECAS and received the attached response. Apparently, Poland is one of their targets (read bold print below) -- but will Poles be interested enough?

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Dear Jordan,

Let me first thank you for your interest and support. It is especially important to us to promote the phone number and the email of the hotline in Poland, as Polish citizens are amongst the ones to use the most their rights to free movement. They thus encounter a greater amount of problems, and can make good use of the hotline service. During last year’s hotline, we received a large majority of Polish cases and questions. We strongly hope to continue to provide this legal advice service to Polish citizens.

If you could send the report and the press release to any of your contacts within interested organizations, the media, public administrations, experts, etc, that would be the best way to contribute to this initiative. The aim is to promote access to the hotline by putting forward the phone number and the email address.

The hotline has started yesterday, Thursday 11th August, and we have a small month to gather the maximum of questions and cases to present those to the European Parliament on 6 September.

Don’t hesitate to contact me directly. Here is my mobile number: 0032 474 77 99 64. Many thanks for your support, it means a lot to us.

Caroline
Caroline Gonthier
Press Officer
ECAS
Prince Royal 83
B-1000 Brussels
Tel: 02 548 98 23
Fax: 02 511 90 87
Email: c.gonthier@ecas.org

Contaminated Land Law: Poland's Expensive Experiment

2005-08-10T14:59:00.000+02:00

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News Poland
by Randall M. Mott
POLAND’S CONTAMINATED LAND LAW: SYNOPSIS & ISSUES

Poland was required to adopt many environmental requirements from the European Union as a condition of being admitted last year, but one of the most onerous and costly environmental laws recently going into effect was a national choice unrelated to EU requirements, the Contaminated Land Law. 2/ This law now requires the owner of land to “remediate” any contamination found on the property. If the landowner can show that the contamination was entirely the result of another party’s actions, then that party is also liable for remediation. Landowners were required to notify the starost where contamination pre-dated the act and “was caused by another entity” by June 30, 2004. Article 12. If the Starost concludes that this occurred in a formal decision, then the liability under Article 102, sections 1 through 3 shall not apply. This was a onetime chance to get a pass of the remedial obligations of the law. Presumably the party causing the contamination may still be liable under Article 102. Decisions rejecting any application under Article 12 were due to be completed by June 30, 2005.

The Starost has other responsibilities under the law, including to prepare decisions on cleanup and their costs, to actually perform cleanup if the responsible party cannot get access to the land, and to take emergency actions where “irreversible damage to the environment” requires immediate action. The law authorizes the Starost to require sampling by the liable party. Where the Starost conducts the cleanup, the law also requires the landowner to provide access. The obligations of the Starost to “conduct periodic testing of the quality of soil and earth” seem a little broad and are not tied to any specific sites. This may be intended, since the statute requires a Starost registry of areas where the quality standards are exceeded. Starost remedial actions are to be scheduled and cleared by the Powiat enviornmental protection program.

Contamination of the land shall be restored to “quality standards” set by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. “The quality standard shall set out the concentration of certain substances in the soil or earth below which none of the functions served by the land surface is impaired.” A key provision that narrows the cleanup scope provides that the intended functions by “actual development and land use” or the “results from a land-use plan.” The quality standards themselves are also to take into account the type of land “according to the criteria of their current or planned functions. The standards should also differentiate based on “water permeability and depth.” In requiring that the test reference methods be specified in the rules, the law also requires specification of the methods for “modeling the migration of substances in soil and earth.” This is normally a technique used to conduct risk assessments, which will have to be used for land contaminated before September 30, 1980 under the “grandfather” clause of the law. For these sites, the remediation may be limited to actions needed to prevent either “(1) a threat to human life or health or the origination of other damages” or “(2) the possibility of the pollution’s spreading.” The question logically arises as to why remediation under the rest of the Act is necessary if there is no threat to human health and the pollution cannot possibly spread.

The regulations on the quality standards were published on September 9, 2002. See Minister of Environment Regulations on Soil and Sub-Soil Quality Standards of 9 September 2002. They divide land use into three categories: protected areas under environmental or water resource laws, agricultural land, and industrial property. Different numbers are used for each compound or group of compounds based on the soil permeability and depth. A sobering fact in the rules is the depth goes down to 15 meters. The numbers are generally higher in most cases for industrial property compared to U.S. and other countries’ guidelines.However, there are no attenuation factors or risk considerations or apparent basis for more flexible adjustments due to specific site conditions. This rigidity makes these rules more extreme than anywhere else in the EU. The existence of this regulatory approach has already had significant negative effects on new investment projects in Poland. The Polish law is clearly more rigid, costly and inflexible than any other Central European country’s rules.

Similar early rules in the United States and Holland led to the near abandonment of investment in heavily industrialized areas. Buyers simply avoided acquiring land where cleanup problems could lead to very substantial expenditures unrelated to their core business investment. Virtually all states have moved toward risk-based standards and followed the U.S. EPA Brownfields Initiative.” The U.S. EPA website has considerable information that may be useful to groups interested in this approach in Poland, where it seems to clearly make even more sense than in the United States. See http://www.epa.gov/brownfields.

Although the European Union has no retroactive environmental cleanup law, it does have an Environmental Liability Directive that has prospective application. The Directive is also mandatory for member states to implement by 2007 and it specifically requires risk-assessment be used for clean-up decisions:

“For the purposes of assessing damage to land as defined in this Directive the use of risk assessment procedures to determine to what extent human health is likely to be adversely affected is desirable.” Findings, par. 7, Directive 2004/35/CE

Technical groups working on the EU program have found that “risk based decision making is the best available paradigm for dealing with the problems posed by land contamination.” The Danish EPA web-site in discussing Poland’s contaminated land notes: “Land contamination per se does not always pose a threat to the environment, and the importance of the contamination can only be determined following detailed investigation and site specific evaluation of risks.”

Besides the unnecessary additional economic burdens that it places on the Polish economy, there are important practical reasons for changing that provision of the law. First, Poland will have to develop the risk assessment expertise to make decisions for pre-1980 contamination in any event. Second, Poland will have to use EU-approved risk assessment techniques under the EU Directive on Environmental Liability as well by April 30, 2007.

Anyone looking at this law will immediately see some practical issues that cannot be overlooked. The cost of sampling for these compounds in any investigation will be quite significant. The role assigned to the Starost authorities is quite unrealistic. And many legal issues also arise because of very limited statutory guidance. While a landowner who can prove he contamination predated the law might convince the Starost of this fact, when the same landowner digs a new foundation or utility-line and re-deposits the contaminated soil then it can be argued that it is new contamination caused by the landowner after the date of the law. What other parties will be deemed as “causing” the contamination? If the landowner notified for an exemption, but the other parties involved in causing the contamination did not (a tenant, a waste producer, a waste transporter), are all parties exempt? If the landowner is exempt under the Contaminated Land Law, will he face liability under the Waste Law, since EU law currently defines contaminated soil as a waste? 3/ How can a company prove that the contamination was done entirely before September 1980 [analytical testing of samples will not produce this information]? If the contamination was pre-1980, when will the Starost be justified in alleging that there is a health threat or a real risk of migration? How will contractual provisions between the parties affect their statutory liability? What will insurance cover on this loss? What impact does in have on property used at collateral for loans?

These issues are all beyond the scope of this article, but they will need answers. And the answers may not come quickly or without some substantial litigation over the meaning and impact of the law. Hopefully, the business coalition being organized to amend the law can address many of these problems in the near future with revisions by the legislature to make the Polish rules more consistent with the EU practices.

Randall Mott

1/ Mr. Mott is an attorney/consultant affiliated with Kalwas and Partners, Warsaw, Poland and has been active in hazardous waste matters since 1978.
All rights reserved @.

2/ Environmental Protection Act of 27 April 2001 (the „EPA”); The Act on the Entry into Force of the EPA and the Waste Act of 27 July 2001 ( the „Transitional Act”); Minister of Environment Regulations on Soil and Sub-Soil Quality Standards of 9 September 2002.

3/ See European Court of Justice, Van de Walle et al. Case C 1/03, September 7, 2004 (sustaining a criminal claim for “disposal” of oil-contaminated soil from service station accidentally leaking tank even if it was not excavated). This extreme result is an issue now being addressed by the European Commission for possible changes.

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PolBloglet - Polish Brain Drain?

2005-08-06T13:08:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Speaking with many Polish students here in Warsaw, I hear mixed opinions. Some intend to work abroad, some want to stay here (quite a few law students). As far as university study goes, I don't hear so many students talk about learning abroad. This might only be a feasible option for the cream of the crop (re: those who can compete for scholarships). But on the flip side, Poland is attracting bright foreigners -- I think of teachers & exchange students -- and many end up staying here.

Polish secondary school graduates are taking foreign universities by storm, but will they ever come back? writes the Polish version of Newsweek, pointing out that it is the intellectual potential rather than the industry that makes nations powerful.

Source: Radio Polonia

The Check is in the Mail: Polish Employers Paying Late?

2005-07-16T13:57:00.000+02:00

News Poland
by Jordan Seidel

"I haven't been paid since April," laments Pani 'X.' Her colleague joins in "Yes, it's very difficult."

Lately in conversations with Poles about various topics from holiday plans to new babies, a common complaint is emerging across the social spectrum: Polish employees aren't being paid on time. I listened to Pani X describe her situation, she knew she was being exploited and yet for someone who hadn't been paid in 3 months, she was smiling as if those backlogged bills didn't matter. In the past, this reaction would have puzzled me to the point of irritation. Why isn't anger the primary response? How can this happen? You're being taken advantage of! Let's get on the phone to a lawyer and sort things out! A couple of years ago, this would have been my reflexive diatribe. But now I understand Pani X's understated response to be a necessary adaptation to a complicated economic situation (and an avoidance of ulcers and premature balding).

According to a European Foundation report by Polish State Labour Inspection (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy) on Polish pay practices, in 2001, [I]nspectors found that pay regulations were violated in 62% of the audited enterprises. The average amount of back wages amounted to PLN 1,000 per employee in these enterprises, representing a growth of 34% over the previous year.

When asked why they pay their employees late, the report indicated "45% of employers pointed to cash-flow problems, which they said were caused by customers not meeting their commitments on time." Finger pointing is understandable. Afterall, it's hard to blame your employer for not paying you when they can simply shrug their shoulders and blame someone else.

According to other reports, the problem can't be resolved by simply proposing more regulations (And who would pay for stricter enforcement anyway?). It appears that the root cause is not an illegal intent to withhold money, rather, the economic situation in Poland is such that both employers (mid to small) and employees face economic hardships alike. Until a turnaround occurs it appears that Pani X is on to something when it comes to delayed payments -- Poles must simply grin and bear it.

Useful Links:

1) European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions: Practices such as delayed payment of wages and failure to make social security contributions on employees' pay are relatively widespread among Polish employers. (Report in Polish)

2) European Industrial Relations Observatory on-line: Surveys of private sector enterprises in Poland have found a growing tendency among employers to delay the payment of wages in recent years.

3) The Polish Central Statistical Office (Główny Urząd Statystyczny, GUS) - In English, In Polish.

4) Latest Stats on Polish Men and Women in the Labor Market --> HERE

5) The Institute of Polish Public Affairs (IPA) ---> HERE

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PolBloglet: Neo 'Matka Polka' -- Nurse as Mother Nature in Poland

2005-07-13T21:47:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Following up on the Polish Plumber campaign, Poland's Tourist Board decided to promote the country's natural beauty by using a Polish nurse as an icon. The stereotypical connection between women and nature continues in this Polish ad. On one hand, it's 100% fact that Poland has beautiful natural scenery (from the beaches in the north, to the outstanding lake district in the middle, and the mountains in the south) and many potential tourists should seriously consider including Poland on their summer holiday itineraries. But on the other hand, the connection the ad makes between women, nature, and their traditional, and professional roles as caregivers does nothing to improve the image of Polish women. These images are trading on stereotypes that further reinforce the already anachronistic picture of Polish society held by many in the West, just in order to profit from tourism. Does the end justify the means?

I wonder what Polish nurses think about this? Especially since the reality behind the image of Polish healthcare is a tad different. And another question, are Polish nurses up to EU standards?

I'm awaiting you

Source: Radio Polonia

Poland - Going from Bad to Worse in London

2005-07-10T20:44:00.000+02:00

Jaded for free
by Jordan Seidel

According to the latest news (TVN24), 24 Poles are reportedly 'missing' in London. The photo-poster of at least one missing Pole hangs at the deadliest site (King's Cross). If those 24 Poles turn out to be fatalities, it would likely represent the single largest loss of Polish nationals since the bad old days of the Warsaw Uprising.

One of the added terror effects of picking a city like London to bomb is its diversity. With over 200 languages spoken in the almost 2,000 year old city, a strategically placed bomb is likely to make its tragic mark felt in several countries simultaneously. Just for some perspective, according to UK transportation officials over 2 million people ride The Tube and another third of a million take buses each day. The entire population of Warsaw is moved through the London transportation net each day. In fact, to observe a typical work day on the streets in London is to experience a microcosm of not only Europe (both illegal and legal), but of the world as well -- and the tensions within such a world.

What this points to is a tragic irony of our time for the EU -- that greater mobility for the East to the West brings greater physical risk - that those leaving Poland for a better life (temporarily apparently) are headed right into the epicenter of European terror.

My job brings me into contact with many Poles daily. And the opinion that "Poland is paying for Iraq yet again" can be heard, and it hurts moreso since England is one of the few EU countries that allows Poles to work legally in its territory and that supported the USA invasion of Iraq. Even when Polish troops pull out of Iraq, more frightening consequences were possibly foretold last week in England's capital, and newly awarded 2012 Summer Games city.

I just wonder how Poles really interpret the situation right now. Did they ever think that joining the EU also meant the possibility of being blown up taking the Metro from Kabaty to work in the morning? Will the latest violence in London encourage a generation of Brits to come to Poland for greater security? Will the current mayor of Warsaw, Lech Kaczyñski be given a ratings boost by security conscious Poles thanks to the London bombings? It's too early to tell, but one thing is certain, terrorism is no longer just a candidate for EU membership.

UPDATE [7/11/2005]: Number of missing Poles in London down to 17, according to the Polish Foreign Ministry.

**Editor's Note: Link to Muslim reactions to the London Bombings
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Poles Experience Terror Abroad

2005-07-07T20:33:00.000+02:00

News Poland
in from CNN:

Marcin Stefanski was in the carriage next to the one which exploded. He said he saw bodies piled in the blast-strewn wreckage.

He told PA: "I just experienced a huge explosion and the glass hitting me in my back. People started screaming around me, there was glass everywhere, we couldn't breathe, there was no way to get off the train."

Stefanski, a 24-year-old student who recently moved to the UK from Poland, was among many passengers covered in soot and coughed repeatedly as he relived his experience.

"I was in the front of the first carriage and there was a huge, massive hole in the carriage.

"As I went past the second carriage I could just see the bodies lying all over the floor."

Full story: CNN.com - Witnesses tell of subway horror - Jul 7, 2005

View: The Poles I spoke with today (Warsaw) are more on edge and concerned about terrorism coming to their doorsteps. One of them blamed this on support for USA in Iraq. Another was sure that Poland is too poor to be a target, and wondered if the terrorists actually knew where Poland was. Several knew people in London, they didn't know their condition at this time. It's ashame this had to happen, and a day after London won the Olympic bid -- Now more than ever, the EU must find the will to press on with the integration process.

**Editor's Note: Wikipedia has an entry about the 7/7/2005 London Bombings.

Jaded For free: Kaczyñski - What Does Brussels have to do with Poland?

2005-07-07T00:39:00.000+02:00

Jaded for free
By Jordan Seidel

For the past 2 weeks we have run a Poll asking our PolBloggers "If a presidential election were held today, would you vote for Lech Kaczyñski?" A decisive majority of participants (over 80%) indicated that they would not vote for Kaczyñski, while only 6% voted 'yes.' Another 6% indicated that they would vote for Kaczyñski because he "represents the least of evils." Based on my private conversations with people on this issue, which is rather pressing since this is an election year in Poland, the result was predictable. Living in Warsaw, and unable to speak with most Poles (language barrier), I can say that most of the Poles I do speak with (in English) are fairly liberal-leaning. Most of them were disgusted by Mayor Kaczyñski's banning of the Gay Pride Parade last month -- in defiance, it took place anyway (even though none of these liberal folks actually attended the parade themselves). I read a recent interview with the Major and he didn't sound half bad. He is against a flat tax, he wants a stronger Poland when it comes to Russia, he rejects the EU Constitution as currently written (so did France and Netherlands), he supports a more independent Poland within the EU integration plan, and he says he will stop corruption (which every Pole I meet complains about). So, why all the *extra-long faces?

I have no idea. I don't have the added input of reading how the local press presents Mayor Kaczyñski, but my impression is that in their heart of hearts most Poles would vote for him. These liberal Poles are actually quite the closet neo-cons -- they aren't so very liberal to the end, afterall, how many sincerely support a legal abortion law? How many of them can actually point to a family member who listens to Radio Maria? Or reflexively think that Pope John Paul II is beyond reproach (-- from non-Poles)? Accuracy aside, I think many of them would share Kaczyñski's pragmatism when it comes to integrating into the EU -- and at the very least most are highly ambivalent.

I was discussing this issue last night with a young Polish man who works at a gonzo multi-national bank here. His supposedly killer 'argument' against the Mayor was summed up in two words - 'homosexualists parade.' I suggested that if the Mayor would simply fix the walk-over bridge (which is hideous) in my neck of the Warsaw woods, near Promenada, I would enthusiasitically vote for him. "But what about his mentality?" bickered the young Pole. Just then I imagined a gay Pole and a straight Pole walking past each other as they were crossing the newly renovated Promenada bridge. This practical and shared concern unites people across divides. It seems that many of these younger, closet neo-cons have retained their grand-parent's social policy genes, and their parent's patriotism. That is, they don't necessarily despise government as an actor in pubic life, and most don't want to live permanently abroad (though many want to work or travel abroad). But they also picked up something new -- they are the ones who scoff at McDonalds. What really counts to Poles is what people do for you, and not what they say they will do for you. Everything that Mayor Kaczyñski says he will do is consistent with what Poles would like to see happen. So, why, in their public hearts do they contradict themselves? We have an idiom in English "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater." Babies can grow up, and water can be filtered -- follow your hearts.

We are all gays?

2005-07-01T22:51:00.000+02:00

News Poland
by Wojciech Rogacin

The Consilience Forum audience listened to

"Being Gay in Poland" at the monthly meeting.

"My name is Matthew, I'm gay."

This confession is nothing strange in... let's say... California. But it is nearly an act of a heroism in Poland. Still especially when you make the confession in front of your family. Or when you are assaulted on the street just because you are a gay.

That was the revelation of Matthew who was the presenter at another Consilience Forum meeting at the Pasta Cafe (Kamionkowska 48a), Warsaw, last Tuesday. An activist of the Forum Against Homophobia, Matthew tried to present all the myths and realities about being gay in Poland.

Surprisingly, there were not too many participants this time at the Cafe. And even the plates full of fruits didn't make the discussion lighter or sweeter. The main point of disagreement between Matthew and some in the audience was the provocative elements present during gay parades. For him Polish parades are nothing more than an opportunity to show to the society that gays are living among them and they need certain rights. It is a way to say "We're here. We exist."

Thanks Matthew!

For his opponents, parades are only strenghtening stereotypes about gays in Poland as obscene people demanding more and more rights. As Matthew said, in Poland the discussion about gay rights started just five or so years ago. In the West it's 20 years old.

Anyway, all this stuff is not so black-and-white as one would want to see it. For example I don't like the expressions made by Jacek Zakowski in “Polityka" magazine that “we are all gays." But on the other hand I remember when I was assaulted and hit in my face by a drunk man at Wola one winter night, some year and a half ago. He attacked me just because I wore a scarf that protected my head against snow and wind. For this man the person who wears a scarf on the head is either a woman or a gay. So in his vision I was simply a gay, and his philosophy was that when you are a gay it's OK to harm you.

So I can truly say: it's not easy to be a gay in Poland.

**Editor's Note - Read about the history of 'Gay Poland'
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PolBloglet: Is the EU better for Polish Women? Socially Tak, Economically Nie

2005-06-30T14:06:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

The EU accession process has had both positive and negative effects on the situation of Polish women. On the one hand, adjustments to the Polish economy that were required by the EU had a negative impact on the economic position of many Polish women. At the same time, other EU requirements ‘forced’ the Polish government to place a greater emphasis on social policy and not just on economic development. Consequently, the EU requirements have given women new tools they can use to fightfor their social and economic rights.
Source: Karat Coalition Report (NOTE: This is a PDF file...small). Link to Karat Coalition Home page.
EU men are earning on average a 20 percent higher salary than women, according to a Manpower Study made in cooperation with Barcelona university.

The gap is the widest in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK - between 26 and 23 percent - while in Spain, Portugal and Ireland the difference is around 20 percent.

According to recent findings from the EU's own statistical agency, Eurostat, EU women earn 25 percent less than men.

Source: EUobserver.com: "EU men earn 20 percent more than women"

PolBloglet: The End of Print Media in Poland?

2005-06-30T00:44:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

Newsweek Polska decided to put to a test the theory claiming that blogging will be replacing traditional journalism, as a more authentic and independent form of publication, easily - and freely - accesible to an ever growing community of e-readers, who less and less often reach for the printed page. Following in the footsteps of many renowned journalists representing all the most influential titles in the world, six of Polish Newsweek columnists have begun this week to write their own blogs, accesible from the magazine's internet site.

We are to see, whether internauts are indeed more attracted to that form of "press release."

source: Newsweek Polska

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EUsterka! - Pipedreams in Poland

2005-06-29T12:24:00.000+02:00

News Poland
by ~JS

From Jan Pawel the Pope to Piotr the Plumber, Poland is lately becoming a fixture in the Euro-media. Enough has already been blogged about regarding what the Polish plumber symbolizes for France (all that is wrong with an expanded EU, for example). Poland took this sour PR lemon and made sweet self-promoting lemonade.

However, was the point to actually bolster tourism? To stimulate a new genre of plumber jokes (Incidentally, do you know any?)? Probably not. Who looks more ridiculous in this caricature? The plumber-phobic French, or Disco-Polo Piotr? The well known truth about symbols is that they can't be made to mean only one thing. Those who create them lose control once they become de-contextualized, especially in the hands of hundreds of bloggers. Did you get the ironic pre-text here?

Could the Polish plumber symbolize the same kind of hope and opportunity for Poles that their beloved Pope John Paul II did? While the plumber image has been used to scare old EU members into protectionist postures, how is it playing in Poland (and the newer members in general)? Using the hope for better prospects - very real propects, as I read that in France alone, they need thousands of plumbers - in a country with double digit unemployment is always a delicate operation. Afterall, the image can reinforce damaging stereotypes and undermine the very things it seeks to promote.

I live in Poland, Warsaw to be precise, and can tell you that I have never met a Polish plumber, but I do meet and am friends with many talented and hardworking Poles from many professional sectors. From Popes to plumbers, Poles are hopeful. So, do you have any stories about Polish, or French plumbers? And how about those jokes?

I'm staying in Poland.
Come on over.

PS. For those thinking about a new career in the trade, enroll in a course.

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PolBloglet: Cow Parade in Warsaw

2005-06-27T22:01:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

C-r-a-w-l-i-n-g across Warsaw this afternoon on the tram (melting in the heat) I noticed about 4 cow sculptures strung along the center. They were painted different colors - one was in front of McDonald's another was near London Steak House, and two were actually welded on top of bus stop shelters (a bizarre one was in front of the train station). So, I did some googling and found the web page here. This project is touring the world and intended to generate interest in public art, like our (in)famous Palm has in Wa-wa. What's next? A 'patty' toss across the Rotunda?

Source: CowParade Warsaw Warsaw - The Official Site

PolBloglet: Walesa to French - Plumb Silly

2005-06-27T01:34:00.000+02:00

News Poland

Another PolBloglet

I suggest that he ask the French why the heck for so many years they encouraged Poles to build capitalism when as it turns out they are Communists themselves, Mr. Walesa, an electrician by trade, said in an interview published Friday in the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza. He added, Piotr probably won't have the chance to say this, so he should at least publicize Poland well in Paris.

Source - Instapundit.com "THE POLISH PLUMBER STRIKES BACK"

Poland less Anti-American (or Anti-Bush?) than Most in EU

2005-06-24T10:54:00.000+02:00

News Poland
reported from EUobserver.com:

Anti-Americanism in Europe, provoked by the Iraqi war in 2003, remains high,with the exception of Poland and the UK, a new survey has shown.

Europeans want more autonomy and independence from the US, and a majority of French, German and Spaniards think the US does not take into consideration other countries' interests, according to a poll by the international Pew Global Attitudes project.

By contrast, Americans favour a close partnership with Western Europe. Sixty-six percent feel the US and Western Europe should remain as close as in the past.

EUobserver.com: "Anti-Americanism in Europe, provoked by the Iraqi war in 2003, remains high, with the exception of Poland and the UK, a new survey has shown. "

Some interesting results between Germany and France --> HERE

View

It's important to provide a global context just in case the navel-gazing EU-club thinks EU equals world opinion. America's image globally has risen a bit. This study was conducetd a couple months ago (prior to the EU constitution votes in France and Netherlands), according to the Pew Study, 62% of Poles, and 55% of Brits hold a favorable opinion of USA, as (predictably) compared with 43% and 41% in France and Germany, respectively. Of note, almost 13% of Germans and 15% of Poles thought that Jews had the most influence on USA relations with other countries (the highest in Europe, 60% of Jordanians thought Jews controlled US foreign policy). Interestingly, 70% of Americans think that in general they are too greedy compared with 31% of French. While over 60% of French think USA is too religious, only 6% of Poles do (over 50% of Americans think they aren't religious enough - a result which is in line with Muslim perceptions of USA). So, where does the truth lie? Is truth perception?

Living here in Poland, I wonder why Poles have a favorable attitude toward USA? I talk to Poles on a daily basis and many don't have such a favorable attitude. It's interesting to note that most of the EU thinks USA doesn't take other countries' interests under consideration when deciding foreign policy. Living in Euro-land, you would think that Europe is the only 'civilization' that matters - all the talk about crises and media coverage about the EU problems. The EU seems a bit self-important, and the recent problems it has had with constitution voting reveals a need to clean up its own backyard before pointing fingers. Perhaps the easiest thing to do when internal cleavages appear is to focus on something outside - like Bush. EU complains that USA is too powerful, yet all the while one of its own goals is to create a super-power to rival.

The London voice from Warsaw

2005-06-22T14:33:00.000+02:00

News Poland
By Wojciech Rogacin

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) wants to open a news/information radio station in Warsaw.

The BBC will probably be the first radio station in Poland 100% owned by foreign capital. The British giant can enter the Polish market following changes in the law after Poland's accession to the EU, which granted EU companies the right to enter the market without any capital limits.

Full article HERE

View:
A good idea if it comes true. Except that on the 1 Programme of Polish Radio there isn't any other information station covering all Poland. I remember the BBC news when I used to listen in 80-ties and 90-ties and it was an objective and comprehensive bunch of news from Poland and from across the world. The same I expect on the Polish BBC.

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A Bunch of Egocrats: PM Belka Wants Poland to Take the High Ground

2005-06-20T00:11:00.000+02:00

News Poland
In from Focus News:

The Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka expressed his disappointment from the fact that the EU didn’t reach an agreement for the budget 2007-2013 that according to him was due to egoism of the wealthy country members...He expressed his hope that these countries will get to a compromise decision in the next 6 months.

Rival views on EU are out in the open: "[T]wo rival views about the future of Europe, with Britain leading one camp and Poland leading another "

View
This story requires no introduction as it is all over the European media. Interesting strategy by Poland; willing to take payment cuts from the EU. But Blair rejected this gesture. Poland is (was) poised to gain about 81 billion Euros for regional and agricultural needs this budget cycle. If it's delayed then the pie will be sliced thinner because of the newer candidates Bulgaria and Romania (and Turkey). Poland can't afford to stay angry at the UK since it is one of only 2-3 other EU countries that accept its workers. How will this effect Poland's enthusiasm for Ukraine or Turkey joining the club? To many Poles it will seem hypocritical of the likes of France and Britain to protect their national interests when these countries (and Poland's own politicians!) used EU solidarity and good will to convince Poland to say 'yes' to the EU in the first place. Well, the more things change the more they stay the same. But who looks greedy now?

The Pitch, The Money: How to Spend it?

2005-06-17T18:52:00.000+02:00

News Poland
By Wojciech Rogacin

The story started back in 2003 when the council of Wola district in Warsaw promised to build a new sports field (pitch) on the grounds at the 63 primary school. Everyone was happy: schoolchildren, their parents and teachers. A modern, open pitch in a poor district was something that could turn many young people from a bottle of beer to sport.

Months passed and they did nothing on the ground. So a year later parents and teachers started to ask the council: where's our pitch? what about your promises? The answer was: the council is short of money and you can now forget having a new pitch.

That meant that children would have continue to play on the old, dusty ground which reminds one more of communist times than the piece of playground at the capital city of one of the EU countries.

Well, the council gave in to the financial crisis but parents continued their fight for the pitch. Last thursday they launched the Association of Friends of the 63 School in Warsaw and they are sure: we will eventually manage to build the pitch. They are going to do the project and formally apply for the EU funds on the playground.

The story is not ended yet but as I see people's desire to make the succes with the project I can be nearly sure they will achieve their goal.

View

This is positive story about people's pro-activeness. I wonder if it is not the exception? As I read in the newspapers Poland wasn't able to use all the funds that came to the country from the EU in 2004. And now, when there is the battle in Brussels over the next allocation of funds for Poland, I am wondering whether we will be able to spend the money? How many such active people like parents from the 63 school there are in Warsaw and Poland?

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Iraqi Dictator in Poland?

2005-06-15T14:46:00.000+02:00

News Poland
In from Khaleej Times Online

Defence lawyers for Saddam Hussein say the deposed Iraqi dictator wants his case to be tried in Sweden or Poland instead of Iraq where he faces the death penalty...Hussein, 68, would escape the death penalty if tried in Poland or Sweden, both members of the European Union which has banned capital punishment.
Poland already has a top security court room complete with bullet-proof windows in the southern city of Katowice designed for the trial of mafia gangs which could accommodate the trial of the Iraqi dictator.

Full article HERE

View:
Poland would take a risk hosting such a spectacle. Although the media frenzy would put Katowice on the map (probably not the best city to showcase Poland's tourist attractions). If the charges against Saddam are on the scale of genocide, why isn't the United Nations involved?